Technical Hitch Causes Delays As IEBC Begins To Clear Aspirants

Many candidates have been approved by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to contest for elective seats.

The commission experienced technical hitches in some counties so some of those who submitted their documents were delayed almost three hours before they given the greenlight to contest in the August 9 polls as the exercise took place yesterday.

The approval of all candidates will run from May 29 to June 7 according to the General Election Regulations gazetted on January 20.

All the aspirants were required to show that they resigned from office if they were public officers, and to present the identification document used to register as a voter according to Election (General) Regulations 2012, among other requirements.

, Nakuru Town West MP  who  earlier on had doubts about his candidature was the first in the county to present his documents to the IEBC office in the constituency.

Samuel Arama forgot some of the statutory documents needed for him to be cleared at home, however a supporter jumped in to save the day.

“I forgot the document at home in a different file. Give me some minutes to fetch it,” said Arama, who returned with the certificate four minutes to the elapse of his allocated time.

Speaking after receiving his clearance certificate, Arama said he was ready to defend his seat after months of speculation that he would be barred over a court case.

“I am glad the IEBC has cleared me, ending speculations that I would not be in the race due to a court case that I’m fighting,” he said.

Nakuru West Returning Officer Moses Ahete said they were set to clear three MP candidates yesterday and six others today.