The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has revealed that Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya may not be cleared to become Raila Odinga's running mate.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Monday, May 9, IEBC Commissioner Prof Abdi Guliye explained that the CS risks being disqualified because he still holds public office, less than 100 days before the August 9 General Election.
Guliye added that Munya, like other public servants, should have tendered his resignation on or before February 9, six months before the poll, as stipulated in the Constitution of Kenya (2010).
"One ought to have resigned if they intend to be in politics and if they are holding public office, they need to have done that six months to the General Election," the commissioner stated.
When posed with the concern that the law may be unfair given that it was the presidential candidates who selected running mates, he opined that the politicians should consult with their team. He added that the law was very clear and IEBC would act by it.
"That rule applies to all and is not selective and if anyone intended to be in politics one should have made up their mind a long time ago. For IEBC, we will enforce the law as it is," Guliye added.
On matters Mike Sonko's eligibility to run for electoral office, he clarified that the former Nairobi County boss and other impeached governors are free to run for any seat provided they challenge the cases against them exhaustively in court.
"The law guides us that if you have been found culpable by a court to have been impeached for certain irregularities in the performance of your duties and there are existing appeal mechanisms then one is still eligible to vie.
"But if all the mechanisms have been exhausted and a final verdict is uncontested, then one should not run. This is a matter under discussion and IEBC will convene to deliberate on the issue," he remarked.
Meanwhile, the seven-member Azimio advisory selection panel announced that it would be interviewing aspirants recommended by various affiliate parties between May 4 and 10. So far the commission has received seven names.
Some of these include CS Munya, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Muranga Woman Rep Sabina Chege, Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Narc Kenya's Martha Karua and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu.
On Monday, Sabina Chege, Karua and Joho arrived at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, where they are set to be interviewed by the panel. Chaired by former Cabinet Minister Noah Wekesa, the panel is noted that they will submit their selection to Odinga by May 10.
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