This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
IEBC Clears 23 Candidates for Kibra Parliamentary By-Election ¶
On September 10, 2019, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared 23 candidates to participate in the Kibra Parliamentary by-election slated for November 7, 2019.
Out of the 30 aspirants who registered to vie for the seat, 7 were either disqualified or did not appear for clearance. The cleared candidates include 16 sponsored by political parties and 7 running as independent candidates.
"23 candidates have been cleared by the Commission; 16 are political party candidates while 7 are independent candidates," the IEBC stated.
However, Jubilee Party's flag-bearer, footballer McDonald Mariga, was disqualified on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, after the Returning Officer, Beatrice Muli, said his name was not in the voters' roll.
"My verdict is that after scrutinizing all the documents presented to me by the aspirant, he is not eligible," Beatrice Muli said.
Mariga was accompanied by Langata MP Nixon Korir, former Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale, and other leaders mainly loyal to Deputy President William Ruto when he presented his candidature to IEBC.
"We will take the matter to the tribunal, but I want to confirm here that Mariga is a registered voter and it is so unfortunate that the IEBC does not update its system. He will definitely not be denied his democratic right because of an issue that lies on their side," Khalwale said.
