President Uhuru Kenyatta waves to Bahati residents in Nairobi, after presenting nomination papers to IEBC, May 29, 2017. [Photo: PSCU]
Campaigns to the August 8, general elections, officially kicked off, Sunday, May 28.
This is after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), started receiving nomination documents of all aspirants, same day, laying a platform for campaigns.
This means all cleared candidates are good to go, by launching their bids, and campaigns, in their respective areas.
As of 4pm, Sunday, 961 candidates had been cleared, including three presidential candidates, Ekuru Aukot, Raila Odinga and Muhammad Abduba Dida.
A total of 960 candidates were cleared to contest on Day 1 of submission of nomination papers, nationwide.
The Commission had gazetted 337 Returning Officers to undertake clearance of 16,364 candidates, in the gazetted days, and instructed them not to clear those who had not met the stipulated requirements.Presidential and Senatorial aspirants present their papers from May 28 - May 29, 2017; Member of County Assembly - May 28 - 31; County Woman Member to the National Assembly - May 30 - 31; and Gubernatorial and Members of National Assembly - June 1 - 2, 2017.
President Uhuru Kenyatta was cleared, Monday, May 29, and launched his campaigns, in Nairobi, same day, after holding rallies in Eastlands part of the county.
Raila and his Nasa brigade will launch campaigns in Kakamega, in June.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati, religious organisations, and the civil society has since cautioned politicians against conducting violent rallies.
Chebukati warned that the Commission would not fail to take action on any politician who does not uphold peaceful campaign.