Wiper Party Says Kalonzo Still in the Presidential Race

The Wiper Party has announced that its leader Kalonzo Musyoka is still in the presidential race despite reports that he had been disqualified by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on a technicality.

Earlier reports suggested that Musyoka failed to meet the stringent requirements for presidential aspirants set by the electoral commission, including the submission of at least 48,000 signatures of registered voters from not less than 24 counties endorsing their State House bids.

It is alleged that Musyoka presented signatures of his supporters in a word document rather than using a spreadsheet, the required format by IEBC.

Wiper National Election Board (NEB) Chairperson Agatha Solitei in a statement on Sunday said the party has since complied with the requirement of presenting electronic signatures in line with IEBC’s requirements.

“The National Elections Board (NEB) wishes to confirm that we have complied with this requirement as we have ALREADY SUBMITTED the soft copy of our Candidate’s supporters in Excel format today, 28/5/22 which is well within the deadline set by IIEBC of 29/5/22,” stated Solitei.

“Take note that His Excellency’s documents were presented to IEBC for 33 counties (against the required 24 Counties) on 25/5/22 on hard and soft copy. IEBC upon receiving these documents on the 25th of May,2022 requested us to convert the electronic data which we had submitted to an Excel format on or before the 29th of May 2022.”

Musyoka’s name was missing from the list of 16 presidential candidates cleared by the IEBC to move to the next phase of nominations that will take place between May 29th and June 6th. 

The 16 candidates include Raila Odinga (Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party) and Deputy President William Ruto of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria (Usawa Kwa Wote Party), George Wajackoya (Roots Party), Ekuru Aukot (Thirdway Alliance), Jimi Wanjigi (Safina Party) Njeru Kathangu (Ford Asili) and David Mwaura Wahiga (Agano Party).

Others are Gibson Ngaruiya Ng'ang'a, Dorothy Kemunto Nyangori, Peter Mubiko King'ori, Jeremiah Nyaga, Jane Juliet Munyoki, Faith Wairimu Ngigi, Eliud Muthiora Kariara and George Munyotta Kamau were also cleared as independent candidates.

Musyoka announced his bid last week after missing out on the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential running mate slot and named Andrew Sunkuli as his running mate.