The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) not to clear Kalonzo Musyoka to run for the presidency on a Wiper party ticket.
ORPP urged the Wafula Chebukati-led commission not to clear Kalonzo since his party was still a member of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party.
Kalonzo, who bolted from the coalition on Monday, May 16, announced his presidential bid on the same day, picking Andrew Sunkuli as his running mate.
In the letter to IEBC, Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu, stated that Kalonzo’s Wiper had not left the coalition party and hence cannot front a candidate in the August 9 polls.
While signing the pact to join Azimio, the former Vice President agreed not to withdraw from the coalition six months to the General Election or three months after the said election.
His team had sought ORPP's advice on whether he could still run for the presidency while still being legally bound by the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party pact.
Kalonzo, however, is said to be exploring loopholes in the agreement and is hell-bent on frustrating the Azimio after the coalition's flag bearer, Raila Odinga, settled on Martha Wangari Karua, as his running mate.
Prior to leaving Azimio and announcing his candidature, Kalonzo had threatened to walk out if Raila failed to choose him as his running mate.
“There is no power-sharing structure, which is the basis of any negotiations or any coalition arrangement of working together. Without a power-sharing agreement, which is registered with the Registrar of Political Parties, everything else is a nullity.
“Kalonzo is a reasonable man who wants the best for Kenya,” Makueni MP, Dan Maanzo, a close ally of Kalonzo, argued.
Nonetheless, he kept his options open and insiders within Azimio argued that he was willing to rejoin the coalition if his conditions are met.
Kalonzo, who was promised the Chief Minister’s role by Raila, wants the role signed on paper. He also demanded a 30 per cent stake in the government.
KANU's Gideon Moi is reported to have been sent to talk Kalonzo into agreeing to rejoin the coalition and support Raila's candidature.
