Editor's Review

The deadline had been set for Monday, May 9, but IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati said most of the parties were yet to comply.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has extended the deadline for political parties to adhere to the two-thirds gender rule.

IEBC had directed parties to ensure their nomination list complies with the two-third gender rule.

The deadline had been set for Monday, May 9, but IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati said most of the parties were yet to comply.

He, however,  noted that the parties have made notable progress in complying with the directive hence the need to allow them more time to complete the ongoing works.

"In keeping with the provisions of Article 83 (3) of the Constitution of Kenya, which stipulates that the conduct of the elections should be facilitative, the Commission extends the deadline for political parties to submit their lists of nominated persons to May 12, 2022, at 5 pm," IRBC chair Chebukati said.

Deputy President William Ruto’s UDA party is among the parties that had not complied with the order by the Monday deadline.

More than 40 political outfits were on the commission’s radar for failing to comply with the rule in their previous lists of nominees for MPs and senatorial seats. 

Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC is now revising its list asking all the nominees for MPs and senatorial seats that want to be considered to submit their applications.

Major parties which include the ODM, Jubilee, and Wiper also had not adhered to the rule.

The electoral agency warned parties against failing to comply saying they will block them from taking part in the August 9 general election.