Dida was eventually cleared to contest the Presidency after first being turned away/IEBC
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28 – Presidential aspirant Abduba Dida has been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after returning with all the required documents.
His clearance Sunday morning hit a glitch after it emerged that the degree certificate he presented was not certified.
Following an examination of his documents, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati added that his self-declaration form had also not been signed by a Commissioner of Oaths.
”We have your degree certificate which needs to be certified, that is one of the conditions. We also require that of your running mate certified. That has not been done,” Chebukati stated.
“Also, the self-declaration forms for both the Presidential aspirant and running mate need to be signed and commissioned before a commissioner of oaths. They are both not signed so can we give you time to sort out your papers and come before 4pm,” he revealed.
Did however later came with his papers in order and was cleared.
“I also want to ask you and your party to bring to us your campaign schedules so that we can harmonise it with other candidates and that should be done as soon as possible,” Chebukati said after clearing him.
Dida who was later interviewed, downplayed the incident saying it would be sorted out as soon as possible.
“What the team did is to photocopy the original certificate but all the other documents were certified. So it is not a big deal and you know some of our staff are also as new as IEBC and it is already done because some of those who are to sign are already here,” he said.
The IEBC first received the documents of Thirdway Alliance of Kenya candidate Ekuru Aukot who was cleared by the Commission’s Chairman Wafula Chebukati.
“Having reviewed documents presented before me, we are satisfied that Dr Ekuru Aukot, and his running mate Emmanuel Nzai have met the qualifications to vie for the position of President and Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya in the General Elections coming up on August 8 this year,” he said.
Chebukati stated that Aukot was now free to campaign in any part of the country for his Presidential bid.
“You are free to go and campaign anywhere in Kenya. Sell your policy to the people of Kenya but in doing so, ensure the electoral code of conduct is observed,” he said.
Here is Aukot’s running mate Emmanuel Nzai who was interviewed after.
“This is a third milestone that we see. The first milestone was when Dr Ekuru Aukot led the whole conversation about Thirdway, that there must be alternative leadership. The second milestone was to have our party registered so today marks a new journey,” Nzai stated.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to present his papers on Monday afternoon.
Ten of those who were seeking the post have been disqualified for various reasons.
The official campaign period began on Sunday.
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