The Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission has cleared Azimio’s presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua to contest for presidency in August polls
Speaking at Bomas of Kenya on Sunday 5th June, immediately after clearance, Raila exuded confidence that he will win in General Elections
“I am confident that the IEBC will conduct free fair, credible and verifiable general election,” Raila said.
He had proceeded to Bomas after attending church service at All Saint’s Cathedral in Nairobi and accompanied by his running mate Martha Karua, Nairobi County Governor Ann and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed
In an unexpected move, Raila has been endorsed to run for the top seat by Prof Isaiah Kindiki who is an elder brother to Kenya Kwanza Coalition’s Chief agent Tharaka Nithi Senator Prof Kithure Kindiki
“I am also urging our supporters not to deface billboards of our competitors, it’s not worth it, we are all brothers and sisters,” Raila warned holding Isaac’s hands
He appointed Saitabau Kanchori to be his chief agent as he urged media to be very impartial and objective in reporting
“I don’t have any complain over media, have been in politics for a long time, we should give them freedom of expression, criticise, investigate, build so that we can strengthen our democracy and be accountable,” Raila maintained.
On his hand, IEBC’S chairman Wafula Chebukati promised to conduct free, fair and credible election exercise as he thanked Raila for the issues he raised over technology, violence and assimilation
“The issues raised will be answered in writing by the commission in a few weeks and we would like to invite all other presidential candidates to engage us and share any information,” Chebukati noted
Raila also took issues with the integrity of voter register requesting the commission to make sure that, it’s not interfered with by any party, so as to raise the bar of electoral credibility
Other issues included IEBC’S objectivity on picking county returning officers, constituency returning officers, polls officers, timeliness and sanctity of servers as he emphasised on fairness and trustworthy in all exercises conducted by the commission