The number of presidential candidates in the forthcoming General August 8 has been cut by more than half after 10 of them were disqualified by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The poll body arrived at the decision on Saturday, May 27, just a day before its Sunday deadline for presidential candidates to present their credentials. Among those who did not make the final list is the only female presidential aspirant in the race – Nazlin Umar. They are his main opponent and the National Super alliance chief Raila Odinga, former hich school teacher Abduba Dida, Ekuru Aukot, Cyrus Jirongo, Joe Nyagah, Justus Juma and Michael Wainaina Mwaura. Independent presidential aspirants were required to submit not less than 48,000 signatures from Kenyans who are not affiliated to any political party in 24 counties, a move they opposed viciously saying the IEBC was scheming to kick them out of the race.

Source: The Star May 28, 2017 03:11 UTC