IEBC clears Raila Odinga to run for president in August

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya flag bearer Raila Odinga has been cleared to run for president in the August 9 polls.

Mr. Odinga and his running mate, Martha Karua, were handed a certificate on Sunday after presenting his credentials before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati at the Bomas of Kenya.

“To Martha Wangari, the documentations are in order, and I approve of the nomination of Raila Odinga as a presidential candidate for the elections slated for August 9, 2022,” said Mr. Chebukati.

“We have confidence that the IEBC has got the capacity to conduct free and fair elections, we therefore urge you to live by the script and do exactly what the people of Kenya expect of you,” he said.

“We want to promise you that we are going to conduct ourselves as candidates in a manner that conforms with the requirements of the electoral laws,” Mr. Odinga added.

Odinga and Karua had attended a service at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi earlier in the day.

The duo was flanked by, among others, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Ms.Karua's parents Jackson and Josephine, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, as well as former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth.

Mr. Odinga becomes the fifth  aspirant to be given green light by the electoral body to run for the country’s top seat, after Kenya Kwanza flagbearer William Ruto, Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah, Agano Party’s David Mwaure and Walter Mong'are of the Umoja Summit Party.

In the meantime, Odinga and Karua will later in the day hold a rally at the Undugu Grounds in Langata to drum up support for their bid.

On Monday, the Azimio chief is set to unveil his manifesto at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.