The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has rejected the nomination lists submitted by all 79 political parties after they failed to meet the set selection criteria.

In a statement dated Friday, July 15, the IEBC stated that none of the parties adhered to the gender equity and inclusivity guidelines as stipulated in the Elections Act. 

The electoral agency directed all the political parties to rectify and resubmit the said lists on or before July 22.

Political Parties are required to submit their respective party lists to the Commission at least forty-five (45) days before the date of the General Election.

The Political Parties which fail to meet the set guidelines will have their lists rejected

“Article 90 of the Constitution provides that, the Commission shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of elections for the allocation of special seats on the basis of proportional representation through the nomination of candidates by political parties by use of party lists. 

“Sections 34(6) of Elections Act, 2011 provides, that party lists submitted to the Commission shall be in accordance with the Constitution and the nomination rules of the respective Political Party,” the Commission stated.

IEBC stated that 79 party lists were received by June 25, 2022, and guided by the provisions of Section 34(6A) of the Elections Act and Regulation 55 of the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012, the Commission reviewed the submitted lists to ensure compliance. 

“None of the submitted seventy-nine (79) Party Lists were compliant and stand rejected for various reasons documented for each respective party,” the Commission stated.

Kenyans had criticized political parties after the list was made public.
 
For instance, Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula was on the list of top leaders in Kenya Kwanza who have sought a plan B in case the election goes against their favour.

In ODM, Chairperson John Mbadi’s name was submitted for nomination to the August House. Mbadi, who was in the Homa Bay County gubernatorial race, shelved his bid in favour of Gladys Wanga.

Nominating members to the parliament is among the ways parties award loyalists, including those who were asked to drop their bids for elective seats in favour of stronger candidates.