IEBC has settled on a list of 16 presidential hopefuls who will move to the next phase of nominations that kicks off on Sunday.
The journey that began with 56 contenders has drastically dropped to 16 aspirants making it to the IEBC shortlist.
Forty candidates were left out after failing to meet the requirements set by the electoral commission, among them submission of at least 48,000 signatures of registered voters from not less than 24 counties endorsing their presidential bids.
The biggest casualty is Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who announced his bid earlier after missing out on the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party presidential running mate slot; with Azimio flagbearer Raila Odinga settling on Martha Karua.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who named Andrew Sunkuli as his running mate, had even submitted his documents to IEBC, accompanied by signatures of registered voters, but failed to make the cut.
ODM leader Raila Odinga, who is seeking the presidential seat for a fifth time, made it to the shortlist, and so did Deputy President William Ruto, who will be flying the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party flag in the August 9th State House contest.
Roots party aspirant Prof. George Wajackoyah made it to the last 16 list, alongside David Mwaure Waihiga who is seeking the presidency on an Agano party ticket.
Jimi Wanjigi of Safina is also on the list, as well as Thirdway alliance leader Dr. Ekuru Aukot, together with Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria who will be vying on Usawa party. Ford Asili presidential flagbearer Njeru Kathangu was also shortlisted.
The list of independent candidates that started off at 47 has been slashed to 8; Gibson Ngaruiya Ng’ang’a, Dorothy Kemunto Nyangori, Peter Mubiko King’ori and Jeremiah Nyaga are on the IEBC list.
Jane Juliet Munyeki, Faith Wairimu Ngigi, Eliud Muthiora and George Munyotta Kamau also made it to the final list, ahead of the week long presidential nomination process.
Among the stringent requirements that knocked off the prospective presidential aspirants is submission of at least 48,000 signatures of registered voters from at least 24 counties, accompanied by copies of national identity cards of the voters.
The presidential candidates list is expected to thin even further, as the 16 contenders submit their documents to IEBC.
They will be requirement to show compliance with Chapter 6 of the Constitution on leadership and integrity, and submit clearance certificates from relevant agencies.
IEBC will on Saturday release the schedule for submission of the documents by presidential aspirants.