ODM Kisii gubernatorial hopeful Simba Arati was on Sunday cleared to vie for the seat by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
The Dagoreti North MP was the first aspirant to be cleared after a one-hour session with commission officials. Mason Oyongo (KNC) was later cleared at 2pm on Sunday.
Senator Sam Ongeri (DAP-K), Chris Obure (Jubilee) and Ezekiel Machogu (UDA) were cleared by the commission on Monday.
Arati told journalists he was a happy man after being cleared. He rebuked his critics saying they had been 'hawking gossip' about him.
"There were people saying I don't have a degree. Today I know they feel ashamed," he said.
"Today marks the start of a journey to securing a win for the governorship and ensuring our people get services."
He told security agencies in the region to reign in on goons targeting his opponent's campaigns.
"Whether in my T-shirts or not, so long as they are committing a felony, they are criminals and the law should take its course. I ask the police to be vigilant even as I ask all candidates to preach peace. It is us who must guarantee peaceful elections.," Arati said.
Arati was accompanied by running mate Robert Monda, Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka and Wiper's Woman Rep aspirant Doris Donya.
Elsewhere, UDA officials in Kisii have reported massive vandalism of their banners and other campaign materials, especially in Kitutu Chache North, a known violent hotspot.
Migosi Ogamba, the running mate to UDA's Ezekiel Machogu, said the destruction of campaign materials marks a low moment in the efforts to conduct peaceful polls in August.
"We are not taking it lightly that some people are being used to deface our banners. We ask the security agencies to act to stop such vices and bring the perpetrators to justice," Migosi said.
UDA has already filed a report with the police to launch investigations.
Migosi said banners belonging to Machogu, Joash Maangi (Senate) and Teresa Bitutu (woman rep) were removed and replaced by rivals' banners in Kitutu Chache North.
"This definitely constitutes to serious breach of laws that govern polls in this country and action must be taken," he said
Migosi spoke on Friday afternoon accompanied by Bitutu to present papers for clearance at the IEBC offices in Kisii.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
