Independent candidate, Feisal Abdallah Bader [left] receives his nomination certificate from returning officer, Yusuf Abubakar Mohamed in Msambweni, Kwale County. The seat fell vacant after the death of former member of parliament Suleiman Dori. 15th October 2020. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]
A politician backed by Deputy President William Ruto was among aspirants cleared on Thursday by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to contest the Msambweni parliamentary by-election as an independent candidate.
Feisal Bader, whose symbol is a ripe banana, went straight to his first campaign rally at Sawasawa ground after being cleared by the Msambweni Returning Officer Yusuf Abubakar at the Msambweni deputy county commissioner’s office.
Ruto is backing Bader against the wishes of his Jubilee Party that did not field a candidate against Orange Democratic Movement whose candidate is Omar Iddi Boga.
Bader said he's not scared of Boga who has the backing of ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
Thursday was reserved clearing aspirants vying on independent tickets while those allied to political parties will have their turn today.
So far, 11 aspirants were on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) list to be cleared but two of them, Bashir Kilalo and Peter Nzuki reportedly stepped down to support Bader.
The by-election will be held on December 15.
