IEBC Clears Raila to Run for President

Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua have been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to vie for the presidency in the August 9th elections.

Accompanied by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and other Azimio-allied leaders, Odinga and Karua presented their papers to IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati at Bomas of Kenya on Sunday morning.

Chebukati, who is the returning officer for the presidential election, declared that both Odinga and Karua’s nomination papers were in order and issued them with a clearance certificate.

Speaking after his clearance, Odinga expressed confidence that the IEBC has the capacity to deliver credible elections and pledged that his team will conduct itself appropriately during the electioneering period

“We have confidence that the IEBC has got the capacity to conduct free and fair elections, we, therefore urge you to live by the script and do exactly what the people of Kenya expect of you. We want to promise you that we are going to conduct ourselves as candidates in a manner that conforms with the requirements of the electoral laws,” Odinga added.

Odinga, who is giving his fifth stab at the presidency, becomes the fifth presidential candidate to be cleared to contest after Deputy President William Ruto of the UDA party, Prof. George Wajackoyah of Roots Party, Walter Mong'are of Umoja Summit Party, and lawyer David Mwaura Waihiga of the Agano party.