The Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) stipulates that any person is eligible to stand as an independent candidate for election if the person is not a member of a registered political party and has not been a member for at least three months immediately before the election date.
In the recent past elections, the number of independent candidates increased as aspirants either failed to raise the amount of money needed for nominations within parties, lost nominations or were not affiliated with any political outfit.
Generally, when politicians seek seats in office, they do so with the backing of a political party. However, these seven politicians ran independently and won.
Mohamed Kuti - Governor Isiolo
Kuti is the current Governor for Isiolo County.
He has been elected as MP, Senator and Governor since 2002, and is now seeking re-election as governor in the August 9 polls.
In 2021, he was endorsed by elders from his Sakuye community in what is today referred to as “negotiated democracy”. In this exercise, candidates are nominated for various political seats among pastoralists communities.
Elders from 10 electoral wards fully backed him, citing his development track record.
Some of Gov. Kuti’s projects include the construction of the county headquarters, a modern market and a stadium in Isiolo.
In January 2022, the Borana Council of Elders (BCE) also endorsed former Isiolo Governor, Godana Doyo, to contest for the gubernatorial seat against incumbent Kuti.
“We will campaign for him, not only as Borana but also all communities living in Isiolo including the Meru, Somali and Turkana,” said Gonjobe, an elder.
Ndiritu Muriithi - Laikipia Governor
Ndiritu is a first-time governor who won his seat as an independent candidate in 2017.
“I was elected as an independent candidate in Laikipia in spite of a major onslaught by Jubilee. At that time, of course, the President and Deputy President were together and they would campaign repeatedly in the region yet I still won?
"Why? Because Kenyans respect people of character, people of integrity and above all, people who speak the truth and have a proven track record,” he stated in an interview in February 2022.
Ndiritu is set to face former governor Joshua Irungu and his former deputy Gitonga Kabugi and over eight other candidates.
These include Laikipia West MP Patrick Mariru, Ndiritu’s former Health Executive Joseph Lanai and businessmen John Wakaba, Joseph Mburu Kamau, Koinange Wahome and Miriam Wanjiru, a human resource expert.
In 2022, Ndiritu was elected Chairman of the election campaign board of ODM Leader Raila Odinga, a move that analysts argued could give him a headstart in the gubernatorial race.
He prides himself in renovating the markets including Nanyuki Open Air Market and initiating the Solio water project which distributes water to more than 1,000 people.
Mohamed Ali - MP Nyali
Ali is a former investigative journalist who worked with KTN and is famous for the exposés dubbed Jicho Pevu.
In 2017, he beat nine aspirants on an independent ticket. Prior to the decision, Ali sought an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket but lost in the nominations.
The MP has put up more police stations in Nyali, by building the Mwatamba, Mbungoni, Kongowea and Khadija Police Station.
Currently, there are about five aspirants who have declared interest in the Nyali MP seat. They include Lawyer Joshua Otieno Ndere, Gov Joho’s cousin Said Abdalla, former Mombasa Youth Association Chair Japhet marine and Gema Mombasa county ChairCrispus Waithaka.
John Mwiringi - MP Igembe South
Mwiringi earned the title “Youngest MP” when he won the 2017 polls, becoming Igembe South MP on an independent ticket at the age of 23 years.
Before that, he was a common citizen in his Kirindini village.
In 2017, he beat Jubilee’s Rufus Miriti after gathering 18,867 votes.
“When it was announced, I had not slept for 36 hours straight. I walked across polling stations in my area to ensure my votes were safe,” said Mwiringi.
President Uhuru Kenyatta gifted him a car after he learnt that the MP walked all the way from town to State House in his first meeting with legislators.
The MP is credited for awarding a number of bursaries, brokering a deal to get a better market for bananas in his constituency and a water project for the area.
Patrick Wainaina
Wainaina is the MP for Thika Town who won in 2017 on an independent ticket.
In 2021, Wainaina, popularly known as ‘Jungle’, declared interest in the Kiambu governor race currently held by James Nyoro.
In January 2022, Wainana withdrew from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
He is known for erecting boda boda sheds all over Kiambu, distributing avocado and macadamia seedlings to farmers. He has also made inroads within the county and is expected to vie as an independent candidate.
Others in the contest include Senator Kimani Wamatangi, Assembly Speaker Stephen Ndicho, former Governor Ferdinand Waititu and former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo.
Shakeel Shabir
Shabir is the MP for Kisumu East who won as an independent candidate in the 2017 General Elections.
Shakeel is said to be a politician who joined politics by chance and went ahead to become a powerful leader.
He joined politics in 2000 after being endorsed by Raila Odinga to become mayor.
Shakeel, who was then a businessman, saw potential in Kisumu but warned that the county was still facing challenges in planning and infrastructure.
After consultations with friends and family, he accepted to be nominated to the municipal council and was elected and re-elected Mayor till 2007.
As a mayor, he built the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground and sanitary ablution blocks in the constituency.
“Any time I present myself for election, I start with 50 per cent of women's votes while my competitors start with zero votes. I will only quit politics when the people I serve say it is enough.” Shakeel stated in 2021.
In 2017, he withdrew from ODM with his supporters alleging that he was rigged out of the nominations. He won the seat as an independent candidate and intends to defend his seat in the 2022 General Election.
William Chepkut
Ainabkoi Member of Parliament, Chepkut declared interest in the seat in 2017 and went against the then MP Samuel Chepkonga.
He previously won nominations under the Jubilee party but the results were disputed which led to a re-run.
Chepkut then decided to vie for the seat as an independent candidate and won.
As an MP, he has sponsored a number of bills including; The Coffee Bill, The Kenya Sign Language Bill, The Natural Resources Bill, The Health Amendment Bill, The Basic Education Amendment Bill and The County Vocational Educational and Training Bill.
The MP, however, disappeared from the limelight in mid-2021, after he was hospitalised.
While Chepkut is yet to announce his next political move, his opponents are gearing up to unseat him. Candidates racing for the Ainabkoi MP seat include former MP Samuel Chepkong’a, Chris Muktain, Terry Maina, Daniel Chemno, Mark Korir and William Cherais.
