Wiper submits signatures backing Kalonzo Musyoka’s presidential bid to IEBC

The on and off game is on, and Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka is apparently making steps for a run for president despite reports linking him to a return to the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party.

Kalonzo was among presidential aspirants dashing to beat the extended deadline of submitting at least 48,000 signatures from across the country.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set a threshold of 2,000 signatures from across 24 counties supporting an aspirants candidature.

Kalonzo’s Wiper party deposited its signatures early Wednesday morning before the commission shut the door to begin verification of the signatures.

For Kalonzo and a section of aspirants, the extension of the deadline from Monday to Wednesday saved them a possible first round exit in the clearance process that includes formal presidential nominations beginning on Sunday.

The Wiper leader walked out of the Azimio last week and named Andrew Ole Sunkuli, a Narok Senatorial aspirant, as his running mate. But in his exit speech, he spoke of 'comparing notes' down the journey.

The review of positions appeared to be in progress on Monday as Kalonzo's Wiper party voted to stay in the Azimio fold and asking its party leader to make his way back. Talk has since been rife of Kalonzo's return to Azimio.

Kathiani MP Robert Mbui said: “We hope that the principals under the Azimio coalition can sit together, and put pen to paper all those things that they wish this party should know so that we can be able to advise our party leader accordingly and make the next course of action.”

Kilome MP Kithau Nzambia, on his part, said: “We still have some window to negotiate between now and May 30, but what belongs to us as a party, is what percentage of the government are we expecting? Because we cannot be in a government where we do not have stakes.”

Kalonzo had been nominated for the position of Chief Cabinet Secretary in the Azimio administration; a position equivalent to that of Prime Minister.

But with deep seated mistrust and suspicion, the Wiper leader reportedly wants the nomination in solid ink built into the coalition agreement.