Kenyans are ready to head to the polls on August 8 with present President Uhuru Kenyatta battling to secure a second 5years term (UhurutoTanoTena) as referred by many Kenyans. But while many expect Kenyatta to prevail once again, his opponent and longtime rival NASA opposition party leader Raila Odinga remains hopeful.
Earlier in the campaigns the 55-year-old Kenyatta, Jubilee Alliance leader, had been expected to win easily: but after pulling out from the presidential debate things changed.
Defeat would prove doubly embarrassing for Kenyatta, who would become the first Kenyan President not to have won re-election.
Kenyatta, son of the country's first president, Jomo Kenyatta, has, in several occasions accused Odinga, son of Kenya's first vice president, of attempting to gulf the country.
Uhuru Kenyatta is promising to create over 1.3 million new jobs, reduce the increasingly high cost of living and create a more inclusive economy by reducing economic inequalities. However, Odinga, is promising to fight corruption, create jobs for young people and improve food security programs.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), chairman Wafula Chebukati, made the commitment on the eve of one of the most hotly contested elections.
He informed Kenyans the hotline numbers on which one can report any malpractice happening at polling stations.
Chebukati also reminded the officials that the duty of holding the nation together lies in their hands tomorrow when 19.6 million voters go to the polls to elect the man who will lead the country for the next five years.
Besides Kenyatta and Raila other presidential candidates are:
Mohamed Abduba Dida
He is standing for president for the second time after vying during 2013 General Election. Being the only Muslim candidate is a former high school teacher, teaching English Literature and Religion.
Dida is of mixed heritage with the mother being a Kenyan-Somali and father from northern Kenya.
The Alliance for Real Change (ARK) candidate and together with his running mate Titus Kusolo Ngetuny are campaigning for change and promotion of morality in the country.
Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo
He is the former Member of Parliament and nearly run for the presidency in 2013 but opted out at the last minute.
The 56-year-old is running as the flagbearer of the United Democratic Party with Joseph Orina Momanyi as his running mate.
Jirongo was an MP between 1978 and 1981, 1997 and 2007
Michael Wainaina Mwaura
The 44-year-old professor hopes to invest in the youth to develop the countries. He is an independent candidate and his running mate is Miriam Muthikwa Mutua.
Japhet Kavinga Kaluyu
Japhet Kavinga Kaluyu is an independent candidate running for the first time as president.
He has lived and studied in the United States where he gained a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Health Policy and Research.
Kaluyu’s running mate is Muthiora Eliud Kariara.
Joseph William Nthiga Nyagah
He is 69 years old is running for president for the first time but has served as a minister between 2007 and 2013.
Nyagah has a Masters in Financial Management and has worked as a banker for a good number of years. His running mate is Moses Waswa Marango.
John Ekuru Longoggy Aukot
He is running for the first time as president after his service in the drawing up of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution. He is a Doctor of Philosophy in Law and flagbearer of the Thirdway Alliance Kenya (TAK) party, that unsuccessfully contested the 2013 elections.
He has worked on several committees in the country including the panel that selected the commissioners at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Dr. Aukot and his running mate, Emmanuel Kombe Nzai, are campaigning against tribalism and seek to end corruption and insecurity.
The chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Wafula Chebukati, made the commitment on the eve of one of the most hotly contested elections.
He informed Kenyans the hotline numbers on which one can report any malpractice happening at polling stations.
Chebukati also reminded the officials that the duty of holding the nation together lies in their hands tomorrow when 19.6 million voters go to the polls to elect the man who will lead the country for the next five years.
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