The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazzeted the list of aspirants in select elective posts who will participate in the August polls.
IEBC listed candidates who will contest in the polls for the presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial and constituency race in a gazette notice backdated to 1st July 2022.
Moreover, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has also been listed notwithstanding the hurdles of a pending case.
The high court is set to give a ruling on the inclusion of Sakaja’s name on ballot papers on Monday, July 11. Similarly, a petitioner by the name Dennis Wahome, had asked the court to stop IEBC from printing ballot papers for Nairobi until the case is heard and determined.
Likewise, no candidate from Wiper Party has been listed in the race for Mombasa governor. This came after the High Court issued orders barring Wiper Party from nominating another candidate to replace Sonko in the race.
Moreover, Mike Sonko had moved to court contesting the commission’s decision to revoke his candidature. However, the Mombasa gubernatorial hopeful is set to know his fate on July, 15.
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Furthermore, delay in the gazettement of candidates participating in the August general elections was attributed to the government printer. The printer is reported to have had a mechanical breakdown which led to the delay in the gazettement of candidates.
Besides, election stakeholders raised concerns after the commission commenced the printing of ballot papers when the candidates had not been gazzeted, saying its illegal.
“We understand there were logistical challenges including breakdown of the equipment at the government printer and that’s why it has taken a bit of time,” Chebukati responded.
Nonetheless, IEBC legal advisor Crispin Owier stated that the gazette notice will be out in the recommended time as the government printer was burning the midnight oil to ensure it is gazetted on time.