Nine cleared by IEBC for Ol-Kalou parliamentary seat

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), on Tuesday, concluded the clearing of contestants for the Ol-Kalou Parliamentary seat, where nine candidates were cleared.

Among them are very new faces in politics, who have been cleared by IEBC to vie for the seat for the first time.

Four of the candidates were cleared on Monday, and the rest were given a nod on Tuesday in a process that was calm and seamless.

Rachel Wangui Njoroge is the only female candidate who is vying on the People’s Democratic Party.

The DCP candidate, Sammy Kamau Ngotho, presented his papers on Monday, while being escorted by a host of MPs.

Ngothio was franked by the new Secretary General of the Party, John Methu and Deputy Party Leader, Cleophas Malala.

UDA candidate, Samuel Muchina, who presented papers on Monday, was escorted by a large crowd that included MPs Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, EALA MP Maina Karobia and Leo Wamuthende (Mbere North).

Wilson Kigwa, who is a candidate contesting on the Jubilee party ticket, was escorted by the Deputy Party Leader, Jeremiah Kioni and the party’s Nyandarua County Chairman, Sambigi Mukuria.

The Returning Officer for the Ol-Kalou By-election, Muhia Njiraini, conducted the clearance process at the PCEA Church in Ol-Kalou town.

Njiraini termed the clearance process as smooth, while telling those cleared that they were now free to campaign in the Constituency until July 13, when the campaign period will officially end.

Abdifatah Hussein of Federal Party of Kenya is among the new faces and little known.

Another new face is the youthful People’s Renaissance Movement candidate, Timothy Kariuki, who rode a donkey as he went for clearance, as a way of protesting the high cost of fuel.

“I’m happy to be the first Gen-Z to vie for a seat in the country, since we demonstrated all over, “ Kariuki noted.

“I arrived on a donkey because fuel has become very expensive; for a farmer like me, I could not afford it,” he added.

Edward Mathenge, a nephew of the late MP David Kiaraho, who is also an ICT expert of Kenya Moja Movement, was the fourth aspirant to present his papers in the afternoon.

“My decision to vie has been informed by the need to empower youth and farmers in the Constituency,” said Mathenge after being cleared.

The candidates said their desire and aim is to emulate the late Kiaraho in the development of schools, roads and electricity.

Another new candidate is Stephen Wanyoike Waithaka, contesting on the National Liberal Party ticket, while PNU is fielding a newcomer Edwin Kariiri Muchiri.

The Ol-Kalou seat fell vacant after the death of David Kiaraho, who was serving his third term on a Jubilee ticket.

Kiaraho passed on in March this year and was laid to rest in Tigoni, Limuru, in Kiambu county.