Written By John Mutiso 📝
More than 900 aspirants have applied to run as independent candidates in the August 9 General Election, with the number expected to rise, amid concerns that party primaries set for early next month would be rigged.
According to Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu, 650 applicants have been cleared and their symbols approved with those interested in running as independent candidates having until May 2 to submit their applications.
“By the close of business of March 28, 2022, a total of 912 persons had manually applied to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) for clearance that they are not members of political parties, out of which 650 applications had been processed and clearance letters issued,” said Ms. Nderitu.
According to the law, aspirants defeated during primaries, which should be concluded by April 22, can still resign from their parties and run independently.
“ORPP is at an advanced stage of developing an independent management system to supplement the manual process. This system shall enable aspirants to submit their requests for clearance upon payment of a service charge of Ksh.500 payable through M-Pesa,” she added.
The Registrar also added that political parties have until April 22 to identify their flagbearers ahead of the August 9 general election.
However, the Registrar stressed that political parties can continue to register members, but those who enrolled after Saturday will be ineligible to participate in the nominations next month.
At the same time, Nderitu disclosed that 24 million Kenyans are listed as members of various political parties.
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