Renowned Kenyan activist Okiya Omtata has moved to the high court in a bid to block Deputy President William Samoei Ruto from running for the presidency. In the petition that was filed on Monday, January 10, 2022, Omtata claimed that any government official, from deputy president, a sitting governor, a sitting deputy governor, a sitting MP, and a sitting MCA, must resign from his/ her position before running for the top seat. “That a declaration that any public officer, including a sitting deputy president, a sitting governor, a sitting deputy governor, a sitting MP, and a sitting MCA is not qualified for nomination as a presidential candidate,” Omtata said. Omtatah added that a declaration be issued that a sitting president, a sitting deputy president, a serving governor, and a sitting deputy governor must relinquish office before they can be elected to elective offices other than the ones they hold. The electoral commission released the 2022 election rules, mandating civil officials seeking to run for office to retire by February 9.

Source: Daily Nation January 10, 2022 15:16 UTC