The 2017 General Election is expected to be one of the most hotly-contested polls in the country's history with various bitter rivals set to go head-to-head.
The presidential position will particularly be of interest given that incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta will be seeking re-election most probably against his political nemesis, CORD leader Raila Odinga.
Interestingly, however, a woman who does not shy away from the big political stage has thrown her weight in the ring and is set to seek support to beat the incumbent Head of State.
Nazlin Umar, who vied for the Presidency in 2007 against then President Mwai Kibaki, is set to give it another try in the August 8th polls.
Long before joining politics, Umar had emerged as one of the most-high profiled woman due to her tremendous contribution in the civil society as well as being recognised internationally.
In the disputed 2007 polls, she contested as the only woman on a Workers Congress Party of Kenya ticket emerging fifth.
However, in the August 8 polls, she divulged to Kenyans.co.ke that she would not be aligned to any Party but would run as an independent candidate.
She added that her candidature was more of a transformative mass movement to help free the country from tribalism and corruption and to represent the interest of the oppressed citizens.
"Mine is not a campaign but a movement for radical massive revolutionary change. I have a modest heart and will deal with impunity and corruption. That is my entry point," she stated.
Addressing journalists at her Parklands home on Tuesday, the Presidential candidate maintained that there was no other candidate who was passionate enough with Kenyans.
She accused both the government and the Opposition of being corrupt but maintained that her hands were clean, hence, she was the most suitable candidate to steer the country forward.
“I agree when you say this government is corrupt. But I agree the Opposition have not been having clean hands either but my hands are clean,” stated Umar.
The award winning activist describes herself as the first Muslim woman to run for Presidency in Africa, a voice of the voiceless and a champion of the oppressed.
Ms Umar, who claims that she has “dedicated her life for the sake of living for others”, is known to be a fighter and has participated in several local and international forums fighting for the less privileged.
Ms Umar, who declared her 2017 bid in June, stated that her candidature had been motivated by previous incidents in which she has been oppressed.
For instance, in the run-up to the 2013 General Election, she accused senior government officials of colluding with police officers to harass her family and consequently lock her out of the presidential election which she was interested in.
Umar is set to battle it out with other candidates who have expressed interest in occupying the House on the Hill including lawyer Philip Murgor and businessman Cliff Mboya.
Here are her photos:
Ms Nazlin Umar with President Kenyatta during Kibaki's administration.
