The provision for independent candidates in Kenya’s constitution, Alingo says, is an idea that is long overdue, “In 1997, the Hon. Harun Mwau, who for some reason did not want to identify with the dominant political thinking that was championed by the dominant political parties in this country proceeded to form his own political party which he named the party of independent candidates: PICK.”
“The idea here was to create a platform for people who think outside the political party box to be able to canvas for votes and do politicking in this country. But since the law did not allow individual independent candidates to come through, a party had to be formed.”
Agnes Awuor is one of those who does not subscribe to the ideologies of any of the registered political parties and so she has decided to vie for the Siaya senate seat as an independent candidate.
“I didn’t like party politics. What do I mean by party politics? They might be having some things in their manifestos that I don’t agree with.”
The process of securing a political party nomination, Awuor says, is a headache she would rather do without.
“I didn’t want to go into the political wrangles that you’ve seen happening in Siaya and some people feeling that they own the party and some people feeling they can be given a free ticket during the nomination. I didn’t want those headaches.”
Even without the backing of the dominant political party in Siaya, Awuor is adamant her decision to run independently has not in any way hampered her chances of being elected, “My people are not even asking me what party I belong to.”
What would have hampered her chances, Awuor says, is if she had affiliated herself with the less popular parties in her county, “I prefer to hit my head on the wall but remain with an idea whose time has come. For many aspirants who think they can’t make it through the party and have something to offer the people, I advise them this is the way to go.”
“Because it’s a liberal way; you’re not fighting with anybody. But if I joined Wiper or URP, people would not be speaking of a person, they would be speaking of a party.”
Independent candidates were required to submit their symbols for verification to the registrar of political parties by January 8, “I’ve already submitted my symbol which is an eagle. The eagle is divine, the eagle is resourceful and this woman is resourceful.”
Article 99 of the constitution stipulates that anyone vying for a senate seat as an independent candidate must also be supported by at least 2,000 registered voters in the county. Those vying for the National Assembly require 1,000 and those looking to join the County Assembly require the backing of at least 500 registered voters as per Article 193.
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