IEBC Rejects Two Aspirants As Clearing Of Presidential Candidates Begins
Independent candidate Patrick King'ori and his running mate Winfred Nyang'au were the first to go before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to gain approval for a presidential bid.
Lydia Kadima 
On Sunday, the two appeared before IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati at the commission's National Tallying Centre in Nairobi's Bomas of Kenya.
They were found wanting on a number of counts, including Ms. Nyang'au's failure to produce her certificate of good behavior.
The major stumbling block for them was their list of supporters; only 65 of the required 48,000 were judged to be adequate by the IEBC.
“It’s not yet over, we feel lucky today in as much as we have a few shortcomings regarding incomplete paperwork. We might need to fill up the signatures but it’s doable, we have been given a second chance,” said King'ori.
The IEBC’s checklist demands that candidates seeking the clearance must provide their national ID cards, proof of academic competence, proof of at least 48,000 supporters from 24 counties, and a banker's cheque in the amount of Ksh. 200, 000. Women, youth, and people with disabilities, on the other hand, must pay a fee of 100,000 shillings.
The rejection list gained more names with the second aspirant delivering their documents for approval.
Justus Juma and Ann Wavinya of the Justice and Freedom Party arrived on time, at 3 p.m., only to be disqualified owing to a technicality: they did not provide a softcopy list of supporters.
The remaining 14 aspirants will have appointments between tomorrow, May 30, and June 7 to register as candidates, according to the IEBC.
During the campaign phase, the approved candidates will be expected to follow the Electoral Code of Conduct's rules and regulations.
All presidential contestants will be provided with state security until the elections are held once they have been cleared.
Prof. George Wajackoyah of the Roots Party, Walter Mongare of the Umoja Summit Party, and independent Dorothy Kemunto are all scheduled to appear before the IEBC on Monday for clearance.
