Kalonzo Submitted Presidential Bid To IEBC Before April 28 Deadline

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was until two days ago not going to be in the presidential race.

But it now appears that the former vice president will definitely be in the race to State House. Reports indicate that his party submitted his name to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) before the April 28 deadline.

Insiders say Kalonzo’s name was submitted way before Wiper joined Azimio la Umoja movement. Wiper joined Raila Odinga-led coalition on March 26.

“We submitted the name before the deadline, as per the law,” Wiper Secretary General Shakila Abdalla told the Standard.

Read: Kalonzo To Vie for the Presidency, Picks Sunkuli as Running Mate

Makueni MP Dan Maanzo confirmed Abdalla’s remarks saying the only thing they submitted to the electoral agency on Monday was the name of the running mate.

On Monday, Kalonzo unveiled Andrew Sunkuli as his running mate.

“It so happens that my name, as we speak, is before the IEBC as a presidential candidate for Wiper Democratic Movement,” said Kalonzo.

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya deal, which he signed on March 12, is a roadblock to the Wiper leader’s candidacy. The agreement binds him and his Wiper party to the alliance for three months following the election. He cannot abandon the coalition six months before the election, as well.

Read Also: Kalonzo’s Wiper Seeks to Exit Azimio Over Running Mate Row

Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap party’s shift from Azimio to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance was overturned by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal. And it’s possible that Wiper’s decision to go to court on Monday to try to get out of Azimio is based on this precedent.

Mr Maanzo claimed Wiper has already gone to court, but he could not say when the party filed the case or which court it was filed in.

For the longest time, it has appeared that the 2022 presidential election will be a two-horse race between Raila and Deputy President William Ruto. Kalonzo’s candidacy is unlikely to change that fact, but it will have an impact on the contest for 50 percent plus one vote for either candidate.

If his bid for the president is thwarted, Kalonzo may return to Azimio or switch to Kenya Kwanza. He holds the job of Chief Cabinet Secretary at Azimio, which Raila confirmed on Monday.

Read Also: Kalonzo Explains Why He Showed Up for Azimio Running Mate Interview

Musalia Mudavadi holds the same position in Kenya Kwanza.

Kenya Kwanza Secretary General Veronica Maina stated on Tuesday that the United Democratic Alliance was open to talking with new partners.

“He would have a chance to negotiate but definitely not on the top tier in terms of the presidential candidate and the deputy presidential candidate. Those are already closed. Maybe at different levels. The government has many opportunities and we believe that Kenya Kwanza would form the next government. He would still find something if he came along,” Ms Maina said on Citizen TV.