Names of 38 Independent Presidential Candidates and Their Symbols [LIST]

A collage of some of the symbols presidential aspirants picked ahead of the August polls.
A collage of some of the symbols presidential aspirants picked ahead of the August polls.
Courtesy

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazetted 38 independent presidential candidates seeking its clearance ahead of the August polls.

In the gazette notice released on Wednesday, May 18, the electoral commission also published symbols that the independent presidential candidates will be using.

The candidates have been cleared by the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu to run as independents but they will need to be cleared by the Wafula Chebukati-led commission through the return of nomination papers.

 

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 88 (4), 85, 99, 177 and 180 of the Constitution of Kenya, sections 32 and 33 of the Elections Act, 2011, Regulation 15 of the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission gives notice to the public that the persons listed," the Notice read.

"... they have submitted their symbols and expressed intention to contest as independent candidates for the General Election to be held on 9th August 2022 and are required to present themselves to the respective Returning Officer on the appointed dates for Commission nominations," it added.

Candidates such as Ndekerere Joseph Kundu has picked a Zebra as his symbol, Gichira Ptah Solomuzi has a man kneeling holding a bowl while Oganga Stephen Owoko picked a shower head. Munyeki June Juliet picked a megaphone as his symbol.

Neto Bernard picked an iron as his symbol, and Ouma Pigbin Odi Mwengu used a straight-bladed scissor that barbers use to shave hair. Mwarania Paul Muriungi will use binoculars while Mbugua Benson Mwaura's symbol will be a catapult. 

The independent aspirants include 74 governors, 108 senators, 110 woman representatives, 958 members of the National Assembly and 5,845 members of the County Assembly.

The ORPP had stated that they received some 7, 213 applications from individuals wishing to contest in the August polls.

Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu
Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu
File

Out of the over 7,213 applications, 4,421 were submitted online and 2,792 others were submitted manually.

106 people had shown interest in the 47 governor positions, 147 in senatorial posts and 110 women hope to represent the 47 counties in parliament.

Concerns have been raised over the huge number of Kenyans who want to vie in the forthcoming elections as independent candidates.

ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi who is also a Kenya Kwanza principal argues that the higher number was unusual and should be treated with suspicion.

Mudavadi has previously claimed that the government had hatched a scheme to manipulate the polls using independent candidates.

"Some of the Independent contenders are projects of dividing the presidential votes for Ruto. This is because it has never been thought that there could be so many candidates vying for the top seat as independents in our electoral history,” Mudavadi claimed.

Independent aspirants have also come under attack from leading political parties - Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza. Party leaders Raila Odinga and William Ruto have consistently asked supporters to adopt the 6-piece voting pattern to lockout independents.

Here is the list of presidential aspirants seeking IEBC clearance:

Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Courtesy
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Courtesy
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Courtesy IEBC
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Courtesy IEBC
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Courtesy IEBC
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Names of independent candidates gazetted by the IEBC on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Courtesy IEBC