IEBC Extends Deadline for Naming of Presidential Running Mates

Presidential and gubernatorial candidates have until May 16th to submit the names of their running mates to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). 

The electoral commission agreed to push the deadline from April 28th to May 16th following a consultative meeting with representatives of political parties on Tuesday.

“The date for submission of aspirants lists for presidential aspirants and their deputies as well as gubernatorial aspirants and their deputies will be on the 16th of May,” IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati said in a media briefing.

“Independent candidates who are vying for president and governor positions, and their deputies, shall also submit their names by 16th of May.”

Chebukati said the April 28th deadline for MCA, National Assembly, Senate, and Woman representative aspirants to submit their names remains in force.

“We have agreed that the deadline for submission of names for aspirants to the commission for four elective positions, Members of National Assembly, the Senate, Woman Representatives and Members of County Assembly remains the 28th of April,” he added.

Independent candidates eyeing MCA, MP, Senatorial, and Woman Representative seats have until May 2nd to submit their names.

IEBC had earlier dismissed a petition by the Azimio La Umoja team to extend the deadline for naming presidential running mates.

In a letter to IEBC, Azimio La Umoja secretariat spokesperson Prof. Makau Mutua argued that the initial timeline for the submission of names is between May 29th and June 6th.

In response, the commission stated that the April 28th deadline was guided by the Law and its Election Operation Plan that was published in a special issue of the Kenya Gazette on January 20th.