DP Ruto Cleared to Run for President

Deputy President William Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua are good to run for the presidency.

The duo was given the greenlight to vie for the presidency by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Saturday at the Bomas of Kenya.

IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati said the duo had met the substantive requirements to run for the country’s top job.

“The application of William Ruto and running mate to participate in the August presidential election is approved. I will now present you with a certificate of registration,” Chebukati said.

Read: Raila Junior Praises President Uhuru For Denying Ruto Chance to Speak At Madaraka Day Fete

After receiving the certificate, Dr Ruto thanked the electoral agency for ensuring a free and fair election.

He also urged them to remain impartial while executing their mandate.

“I’m delighted to receive the certificate that will allow me and my deputy to participate in the August polls. Mr Chairman, we’re committed to the code of conduct we have signed… We are confident that you are up to the task and we will work with you diligently,” he said.

The second-in-command also took the opportunity to out media stations he believes are partisan.

Read Also: Uhuru Breaks Protocol During Madaraka Day Fete, Denies Ruto Chance To Speak

He named Citizen TV, Kameme FM and Inooro FM as the main culprits in biased coverage.

According to the presidential hopeful, the stations should be fair in their coverage and openly declare their support for a particular presidential candidate.

He gave an example of when Citizen TV gave Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga ten minutes airtime as he got only a minute.

“It is the most decent thing to do. We have raised these concerns. We also urge you (IEBC) that you treat all the candidates in this race equally,” he said.

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“We will work with all Kenyans in this election,” he added.

This comes days after Dr Ruto threatened to withdraw from the presidential debate slated for July.

The DP’s team cited media bias as one of the reasons for the withdrawal.

On Friday, however, Presidential Debate Secretariat assured aspirants of fairness and accountability.

Read Also: Ruto Asks President Uhuru For Forgiveness During Prayer Meeting

The head of the secretariat Clifford Machoka said the guidelines governing the debates were developed in 2017, tested and validated through various processes, and remain a public document.

“The debates embody the principles of fairness, integrity, independence and accountability as enshrined in the Presidential Debates Guidelines,” he said.

He also named Tharaka Nithi senator Kithure Kindiki as his chief agent.

Kindiki who was the frontrunner for the running mate position will be assisted by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secretary general Veronica Maina and Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok.

“I have appointed responsible professionals to be our liaison between Kenya Kwanza and IEBC… They will work with you in making sure that the communication and the relationship between us as candidates and IEBC is useful and helpful,” he said.