The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has written to presidential candidates directing them to provide the names of their running mates by Thursday, April 28.
The directive now means the leading presidential candidates ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto have three days to get done with the hunt for their deputies.
“... it is our considered view that by the time party nomination window closes, presidential candidates should have nominated their running mates, lest there be separate processes contrary to what is envisaged in the Constitution," IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati said in a letter.
In the letter, the IEBC is said to have dismissed arguments by the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance which argued that they are required to present the names of the running mate a week after a presidential candidate is cleared.
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IEBC Chair Chebukati said they need time to vet the preferred running mates before giving them a clean bill of health to vie for the seat.
“The commission is required to put in place appropriate logistics for sharing particulars of the nominees with the relevant agencies for purposes of obtaining information necessary for the clearance of the candidates," Chebukati said.
"It is noteworthy that some of the requirements for candidature such as educational qualifications and citizenship would necessitate seeking information from other government agencies. This objective cannot be attained if the deputy presidential candidates’ particulars are only presented to the commission on the date of registration."
Chebukati said it has always been a norm that the name of the running mates has been presented together with a list of other candidates vying for elective seats.
“The commission is cognizant of the fact that in the year 2017, we received the names of the presidential candidates and their deputies as well as those of the county governors and their deputies before the date of registration of candidates," Chebukati said.
"The Candidate Registration Management System bears records vindicating this position. Indeed, this presents a solid precedent and it would be unsafe to depart therefrom."
The letter now means Raila and Ruto have to rush against time to ensure the names of their running mate are made available to the IEBC.
The naming of the running mate will now open the stage for the August 9, polls as the Presidential race will now take shape.
