Editor's Review

Deputy President William Ruto has asked Azimio la Umoja to pick a new presidential candidate to face him in the August polls. 

Deputy President William Ruto has asked Azimio la Umoja to pick a new presidential candidate to face him in the August polls. 

Speaking in Marsabit County on Thursday, Ruto said that Raila Odinga needs to make up his mind on whether he will be on the ballot.

Ruto urged the former Prime Minister to stop issuing demands to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“Get a serious candidate who will face us in the election. I want to tell Azimio, that you have to make up your mind, about whether you want to participate in this election. 

"IEBC is an independent institution; it cannot take instruction from any candidate or politician,” Ruto affirmed.

The Deputy President said Kenya Kwanza was ready for the general election, whether IEBC had an electronic or manual register.  

{Raila Odinga in Kirinyaga County}

While campaigning in Kiambu County on Thursday, July 6, Odinga said that IEBC should have both electronic and physical registers if the former fails. 

"A manual register is a must in each and every polling station, it's not negotiable. We’re telling the IEBC they must have a manual register along with biometric identification of voters on that day; failure to which, there will be no election," he affirmed. 

However, speaking on Thursday in Kirinyaga, Odinga said that they would not boycott the election but told IEBC to ensure the process is free and fair. 

Read Also: IEBC Sets Record Straight After Raila's Call to Use Manual Register in August Polls

At the same time, IEBC on Thursday insisted that they will resort to a physical register if the electronic register completely breaks down.