IEBC defers meeting over running mates, cites Kibaki’s death

Wafula Chebukati

Wafula Chebukati, the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. 

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

The electoral commission has postponed to Tuesday a planned meeting with political parties on the nomination of running mates, citing engagements occasioned by the death of former president Mwai Kibaki.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had set Thursday, April 28 as the deadline for the presidential and governor aspirants to present the names of their running mates.

On Monday, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said the meeting with representatives of the presidential aspirants will now take place on Tuesday, April 26 to deliberate on the matter.

“Due to engagements occasioned by the demise of the third president of the Republic of Kenya Hon Mwai Kibaki, the commission hereby defers the meeting that it had invited you to attend on April 25 to April 26 at 10am in the commission’s boardroom on sixth-floor Anniversary Towers,” read Mr Chebukati’s letter to the concerned parties.

Did not turn up on Monday

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga, who is on an official visit to the US, had dispatched the coalition Secretary-General Junet Mohammed and advocates Paul Mwangi and Tom Macharia to represent him at the meeting.

Deputy President William Ruto’s representatives, however, did not turn up on Monday.

Mr Mohamed said they had a discussion with the other commissioners of IEBC ahead of tomorrow’s meeting.

“We have discussed the matter and put our points across to them about the issues we fill we should look at tomorrow. The details will come out tomorrow,” he told Journalists at IEBC offices located at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.