Registrar instructs IEBC against clearing kalonzo for Presidency
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) not to clear Kalonzo Musyoka to run for the presidency on a Wiper party ticket.
ORPP urged the Wafula Chebukati-led commission not to clear Kalonzo since his party was still a member of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party.
Kalonzo, who bolted from the coalition on Monday, May 16, announced his presidential bid on the same day, picking Andrew Sunkuli as his running mate.
In a letter to the IEBC, party speaker Ann Nderitu said Kalonzo’s Wiper had not left the United Party and was therefore unable to lead the candidate in the August 9 election.
After signing the deal to join Azimio, the former vice president agreed not to quit the coalition six months before or three months after the election.
His team has sought advice from ORPP on whether he can still run for president while still legally bound by the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party agreement.
Kalonzo, however, was tasked with investigating loopholes in the protocol and was bent on thwarting Azimio after Union flag bearer Raila Odinga chose Martha Wangari Karua as his running mate.
Before leaving Azimio and announcing his candidacy, Caronzo had threatened to drop out if Raila didn’t choose him as a running mate.
“There is no power-sharing structure that provides the basis for negotiations or coalition cooperation agreements. Without a power-sharing agreement registered in the political party registry, everything else is void.
“Kalonzo is a wise man who wants the best for Kenya,” said Makueni MP Dan Maanzo, a close ally of Kalonzo.
Still, he’s keeping his options open, with Azimio insiders arguing that he’s ready to rejoin the league once his conditions are met.
Raila had promised Kalonzo the role of the chief minister, which he claimed to have signed on paper. He also called for a 30 percent stake in the government.
Gideon Moi of KANU is said to have been sent to convince Kalonzo to rejoin the alliance and support Raila’s candidacy.
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