Only four presidential candidates Raila Odinga of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party, William Ruto of UDA, George Wajackoyah of Root party, and David Mwaure of the Agano party cleared to contest for the presidency.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) failed to clear the renowned gospel artist-cum politician Reuben Kigame and other 50 who had expressed their interest in succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said that Kigame failed to submit ID copies of the 2,000 voters from each of the 24 majority counties who endorsed his bid.
Kigame protested the move stating that the electoral body had demonstrated favoritism towards some candidates.
With just days to the August 9, General Election, the High Court in Nairobi IEBC to give Reuben Kigame another chance to submit his nomination for the presidential seat.
The order by the High Court did not materialize after the commission said it had already kicked off printing of the presidential ballot papers.
However, on Tuesday, August 9, the Huniachi hitmaker left Kenyans in stitches after he wrote his name on the presidential ballot and voted for himself.
Kigame took to his Facebook, showing the presidential ballot paper with a tick against his name, which he had manually added using a pen.
“Finally voted at Musinaka primary school Luanda constituency, Vihiga County. Let God have his way,” Kigame who was accompanied by his wife said in a statement after casting his vote.
The move raised criticism and praise in equal measures.
Here are some of the reactions;
“Enyewe Kenya ni ya maajabu,” Mogere said in the comment section.
“And you call yourself a man of God surely, do good to others and God will do more good for you,” Josephine Mwambere said.
“Is this your true account or pseudo? I don’t expect a man of God filled with Holy Spirit to behave this way,” George Odandi said.
