A photo of presidential candidates in the nullified August 8 elections. [PHOTO/Courtesy]
Let's start it this way: Raila Odinga is out of the presidential race.
Reason? He has withdrawn from the election because his 'irreducible minimums' were not met by the IEBC.
But is Raila officially out of the race? Has he signed the Form24A as required by the IEBC?
This leaves him with an option to retract his statement in a surprise move and start campaigning ahead of October 26.
Then there is Ekuru Aukot. He was cleared by the courts which said there was no legal grounds to bar him from participating after the first attempt was nullified.
But will this affect all the remaining five cantidates who were not involved in the Supreme Court petition?
Even if it does, one Cyrus Shakhalaka wa Jirongo is out. The courts have said he is bankrupt and does not qualify to run for any elective post.
Assuming that IEBC will use the same interpretation of the court, then the remaining four will be free to join Aukot and President Uhuru Kenyatta who has insisted that elections shall be conducted at planned despite NASA's threats.
So we have two clear candidates, four free to choose whether or not to vie, one who has said he will not participate but who has not signed the withdrawal papers, and another who is ruled inept by the courts.