More than 5,000 aspirants eyeing elective seats have applied to contest as independent candidates.
The number is expected to rise, amid claims of bungled party nominations that have triggered massive resignations.
The law requires those running as independents must not be members of political parties.
They must present their party symbols for approval and clearance from the office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
The registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu on Tuesday said 5,064 aspirants have submitted their applications for clearance.
“We continue to receive applications throughout, even during the public holidays,” Nderitu said.
The office was forced to acquire more space at the Westlands Primary School where hundreds of aspirants are camping for processing.
The high numbers had overwhelmed the registrar's Lion Place offices as aspirants rushed to secure clearance to go independent.
“We don't want to lock anyone out and that is why we will sacrifice to remain in the office during holidays,” Nderitu told the Star.
The state has declared Friday, April 29 as a public holiday for a State funeral for the former President Mwai Kibaki while Monday, May 2 will also be a public holiday to observe Labour Day.
She said the office will work in shifts to accord an opportunity to many Kenyans who want to beat the May 2 deadline.
The Political Parties Act gives the candidates a window of 10 days to seek clearance to run as independent following the close of party primaries.
The high number could threaten the battle for numbers by the country's main political parties that are plotting to win a majority of the elective seats.
Deputy President William Ruto's Kenyan Kwanza Alliance and Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja dominate the political landscape.
But the party primaries that were concluded on April 22 were plagued with allegations of irregularities and favouritism, triggering walkouts.
Most of those running as independents are aspirants who are dissatisfied with nominations conducted by the major political parties.
In the 2017 polls, the Registrar of Parties cleared 4,950 aspirants to run as independent candidates including two presidential candidates.
Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth was among the independent candidates who challenged Evans Kidero for the Nairobi governor seat.
It is the 2010 promulgation of the constitution that saw the introduction of independent candidacy in the general election.
This came into play for the first time in 2013 and the 2017 polls.
The provision has given many aspirants a silver lining given that some of the big names are ousted in the party primaries.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
