IEBC clears Ruto to run for president

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cleared William Ruto to run for president in the August polls.

The electoral commission chairperson Wafula Chebukati approved his candidature on June 4 when he presented his papers at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi.

He was cleared after fulfilling all the requirements set out by the constitution and the electoral body.

Ruto will now face Azimio la Umoja- One Kenya coalition presidential aspirant Raila Odinga whose documents will be verified tomorrow ahead of his possible clearance.

The clearance of the Second in Command shapes the contest that will now see heightened campaigns across the country.

In his address to journalists today before clearance, Ruto stated that his Kenya Kwanza alliance will stage a mother of all campaigns in a bid to woo Kenyans to vote in his favour come August.

"You haven't seen any campaigns yet. Today marks the start of our serious campaigns which is a step towards shaping Kenya for the better," he said.

After clearance, Ruto asked Kenya Kwanza supporters to focus on the imminent win that God will grant them in the August election.

"We are committed to the code of conduct that we have signed. We are confident with your stewardship of this election. On behalf of Kenya Kwanza, we don't want to be favoured, we want to be treated equally like our competitors," he said even as he appealed for objective reporting by media houses in the country.