Raila, Ruto and Karua Liven Up IEBC Meeting With Presidential Candidates

An image of the presidential candidates' meeting with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
An image of the presidential candidates' meeting with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Kenyans.co.ke

Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, and his arch-rival, Deputy President William Ruto, livened up the meeting between the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and presidential candidates after the two coincidentally met at the door while Raila was on his way out.

At the time, Ruto was making his way into the meeting that started at 9am and was represented for the session by governor Josephat Nanok and UDA Secretary-General, Veronica Maina.

On the other hand, Raila and his running mate, Martha Karua, were in the meeting but left in a huff after raising a number of issues they wanted addressed by the IEBC chairman, Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati.

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In what can only be described as a perfect coincidence, Ruto and Raila met at the door as the DP was entering the meeting hall and the former Prime Minister was exiting.

In photos seen by Kenyans.co.keboth presidential candidates greeted each other as they crossed paths. Ruto was accompanied by Tharaka Nithi Senator, Abraham Kithure Kindiki.

A spot check on the DP's itinerary revealed that Ruto was in Tharaka Nithi for an economic forum in Kathwana Town on Wednesday morning, June 29. 

Minutes after Ruto settled, presidential candidate George Wajackoyah of Roots Party also left the meeting.

Karua interjected David Mwaure of Agano party, who was issuing his remarks to the IEBC chair, in order to announce that they had to attend to an urgent meeting. 

"We want to seek leave to tend to other matters but we have a very robust team behind us. We apologise for leaving before the end of the meeting but duty calls," the Narc-Kenya party leader stated before leaving the meeting hall.

Outside the Windsor hotel, Karua declined to take any questions from the press, reiterating that she had urgent matters to attend to. 

Raila left behind his presidential campaign secretariat spokesperson, Makau Mutua, chief legal advisor Paul Mwangi, Azimio's ICT chief George Njoroge, Nyeri deputy governor Caroline Karugu and the coalition's Chief Agent, Saitabao Kanchory. 

The session was also not without drama after an activist temporarily interrupted the meeting, arguing that the Commission was held hostage by powerful people. He was, however, whisked away by security officials. 

Activist Julius Kamau who interrupted the IEBC meeting with presidential candidates in Nairobi on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Activist Julius Kamau who interrupted the IEBC meeting with presidential candidates in Nairobi on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Daily Nation
Courtesy Evans Habil