The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has given Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka a final deadline of 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 29, to resubmit his presidential bid documents after a dispute over formatting requirements. The commission cited Musyoka’s submission of voter signature lists in PDF format instead of the mandated Excel format, as outlined in its May 28 letter to presidential aspirants.
The IEBC initially required documents by May 25, extending the deadline from May 19. A May 23, 2022, meeting at Bomas of Kenya highlighted the commission’s stance on compliance. Musyoka’s campaign, which launched on May 16, 2022, follows his exclusion from the Azimio la Umoja coalition led by Raila Odinga.
The Wiper Party’s National Elections Board denied non-compliance, stating all materials were submitted by the May 25 deadline. It argued that format conversions fall under the IEBC’s facilitative mandate under Kenya’s Constitution. The party criticized media reports alleging disqualification as "unprofessional" and "in bad faith," emphasizing adherence to electoral codes.
IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati’s letter noted that while hardcopy submissions were received, the softcopy version remained in PDF format. The commission reiterated its requirement for Excel files, citing procedural guidelines. Wiper’s leadership reiterated its commitment to legal compliance while challenging the accuracy of published timelines.
