Headache for Uhuru, Raila as 4,000 opt to vie independently

The President and Opposition leader risk a tough time at the elections after losing more than 50

long time allies who are now among about 4,000 independent candidates.

Most of those who lost at the primaries have decided to vie alone, after defecting from their parties or deciding to continue supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga.

Among them are nine presidential candidates.

Senior politicians who were trounced in nominations include

Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua (Jubilee), Kirinyaga's Joseph Ndathi (Jubilee), Funyula MP Paul Otuoma (ODM) and Murang'a Senator Kembi Gitura (Jubilee).

Others were Kiambu Governor William Kabogo (Jubilee), Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau (Jubilee), Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando (Jubilee) Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi (Jubilee) and Starehe MP Maina Kamanda (Jubilee).

Other Jubilee legislators who were ousted were James Bett (Kesses), Peter Gitau (Mwea), Stephen Ngare (Ndia), Njogu Barua (Gichugu), Joseph Gitari, (Kirinyaga Central), Mburu Kahangara (Lari), Njoroge Baiya (Githunguri) and Esther Gathogo (Ruiru).

Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura, who defected from ODM, lost the primaries for Ruiru MP while Uhuru's cousin

Anne Nyokabi lost the nominations for

Kiambu woman representative.

Big losers in ODM included Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem), Oburu Odinga (Nominated), George Oner (Rangwe), Augustino Neto (Ndhiwa) and Willy Mtengo (Malindi)

On Sunday, ODM's MIgori

county chairman Philip Makabong’o warned the party led by Raila will pay the price for shambolic nominations that have left supporters divided.

Makabong’o noted independent candidates stand the chance of getting elected.

“The contest was hot. Staunch members felt aggrieved and left to seek independent candidature,” he said.

“In Migori, we will never work with the six-piece pattern as we risk losing presidential votes. We will work closely with independent candidates who support our presidential agenda."

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The IEBC has allowed independent political aspirants until 5pm Monday to submit their forms and symbols to the Registrar of Political Parties. By today morning, 3,880 had been cleared.

"We will process and publish details," IEBC tweeted.

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According to the Kenyan Constitution, any person is eligible to stand as an independent candidate for election if the person –

(a) is not a member of a registered political party and has not been a member for at least three months immediately before the date of the election; and

(b) satisfies the requirements of--

(i) Article 99 (1) (c) (i) or (ii), in the case of a candidate for election to the National Assembly or the Senate, respectively; or

(ii) Article 193 (1) (c) (ii), in the case of a candidate for election to a county assembly.

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