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Delayed resignation of running mates came to haunt governor candidates who were turned away by the national polls team, sending them back to the drawing board.

The setback could be a tough balancing act for the candidates as they to pick new individuals in the face of looming deadlines.

Cases in point were witnessed in Vihiga and Siaya counties where governor candidates were turned away because their running-mates had not resigned from the jobs within the   Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission deadlines. 

Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi was turned away after his running-mate Vincent Mmaisti was found not to have resigned in good time  as a member of the Vihiga county public service board. 

Agoi who is fighting to oust incumbent  Wilbur Ottichillo of the Azimio-One Kenya Alliance had picked the former Hamisi MP who hails from Tiriki to provide a swing vote. The IEBC yesterday gave Agoi two days to find another running-mate. 

“I promise to explore all possible avenues towards challenging this unfortunate unfolding. We want justice for all,” said Agoi, a strong ally of Kenya Kwanza principal Musalia Mudavadi.

 Goretty Atieno, who was the running mate of UDA aspirant Millicent Oduor  in Siaya was among those flagged off the system for not resigning. Atieno who was with her boss (Ms Oduor) failed to return to the IEBC for fear of being handed over to the DCI.

 Siaya IEBC Returning Officer Bulinda Wandambwa, the UDA nominee had presented  a running mate that failed to resign in February.

 “It’s true we had cleared Oduor and her running mate to run for Siaya governor race for we knew that she (Atieno) had resigned,” said Wadambwa adding that after an hour, we cross checked the system and found out that she had been enlisted as persons still working. 

It was also not rosy for Moses Ndirangu Kiarie Badilisha a governor candidate in Nyandarua who  was shocked to know his fourth name was missing in the IEBC records.

He came to learn the name ‘Badilisha’ was not in the electoral body’s records when he went to present his papers for clearance at the weekend. In addition to the missing name, his third name had a typing error.

  “In 2017 I participated in the election under my correct names including ‘Badilisha’ and I am surprised that someone has changed my name without my authority,” the candidate protested. Kiarie was hesitant to accept the IEBC clearance certificate without the fourth name saying it might confuse the voters.

IEBC cleared former deputy governor, Waithaka Mwangi Kirika and running mate Wainaina Gikonyo on The Service Party (TSP) ticket.

Clearance for Nyandarua candidates ends today with the incumbent, Francis Kimemia presenting his papers.

 Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi was also given a nod to vie under the BUS party.

In Kiambu former Governor William Kabogo and incumbent Dr James Nyoro who are running on Tujibebe and Jubilee parties respectively.

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa was cleared to vie for Kilifi governor on an UDA ticket. Former Devolution CAS Gideon Mung’aro was also cleared to vie for Kilifi governorship on an ODM ticket.

Peaceful campaigns call

Jumwa on her part told journalists that her competitors were praying that she does not be cleared to vie. She warned her competitors of a fierce battle while at the same time called for peaceful campaigns.

“To my competitors now that I have been cleared against their wish, I want to tell them to come up with another narrative,” said Jumwa.

“Those who are claiming of rigging are the same ones that the same IEBC declared them winners in 2017,” she said. Her running-mate called for a peaceful campaign period.

Kwale deputy governor Fatuma Achani was also cleared to run on UDA ticket for governor. Other candidates cleared to run for the same seat are Chirau Ali Mwakwere and former Agriculture Principal Secretary Hamadi Boga.

 In Kisii, governorship aspirant, Racheal Otundo has quit the race after her running mate deserted for allegedly  being compromised by her rival to derail her bid. Consequently, she has opted to vie for the Woman Representative seat through the Progressive Party of Kenya (PPOK) party.

The candidate was cleared yesterday by Kisii county  Returning Officer, Samwel Korir.

“Some leaders in the Gusii community are highly patriarchal and they do not want to see any woman ascend to power” Otundo said. She appealed to her supporters to be calm, adding she will give them a political direction once she kicks off her campaign next week.

Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka  who was cleared to run for the governorship has promised to exempt Bungoma business people from paying tax on weekends and public holidays when elected governor.

 Speaking after he was cleared by IEBC to vie for Bungoma gubernatorial seat,Lusaka said business men in the area were suffering because of high taxes. He said the high taxes imposed on traders by the current administration had affected many traders and had also forced  some to bow of business.

The senate boss who was accompanied by Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula also said he will empower locals by giving them trade loans. He said during his tenure he introduced trade loans to locals but the current administration under governor Wycliffe Wangamati scrapped it’. Lusaka said the only way to have an easy circulation of money in the county is to  empower them through such loans.

 “Residents are crying that there is no circulation of money; let me assure them that I will empower them through trade loans so that they have money in their pockets,” Lusaka said.

Nyakera cleared

In Murang’a, Farmers Party candidate Irungu Nyakera and his running-mate Catherine Mugo were also cleared.

In Migori former Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno who is vying under the Jubilee Party was also cleared.

 Six candidates were over the weekend also  cleared by (IEBC) to contest for the Nyamira county gubernatorial seat.  The first to be cleared was the ODM flag bearer Timothy Bosire   followed by Gideon Moseti Nyakundi, an Independent .

 Former North Mugirango MP Joseph Kiangoi  of ANC party was the  third candidate to be given a nod  followed  by the Borabu MP Ben Momanyi who is contesting the seat through the Wiper ticket.

Nyamira governor Amos Nyaribo who is defending the seat through the UPA ticket was also cleared alongside the UDA flag bearer Walter Nyambati and Henry Ongeri Mokua of DC party respectively.

In Kajiado, Governor Joseph ole Lenku  suspended his political rallies scheduled for the weekend to mourn the four men who were shot dead by police on Thursday during a protest against wildlife attacks.

Speaking in Kajiado shortly after being cleared by IEBC to seek reelection in the August polls on an ODM ticket, Lenku maintained that life is precious calling on all Kenyans to be tolerant with one another.

“I have cancelled my political rallies this weekend to allow us to mourn our departed brothers who died as a result of bullets. We are indeed saddened and still mourning together with the victims families. It is also a special weekend to observe a moment of silent in respect to Stella Memusi, wife to our Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi whom we lost in an accident,” said Lenku.

Reports by Eric Juma, Robert Ochoro, Evans Nyakundi, Yusuf Masibo, Alvin Mwangi, Anock Amukhale, Munira Mandano, Dorcas Mbatia and Christine Musa