Hezena Lemaletian, Karen Nyamu, Mbadi, Among Gazetted Nominees [LIST]

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, has released a list of gazetted nominees to both the National Assembly and the Senate.

The gazette notice dated Wednesday, September 7 saw a number of prominent names featured as nominees of the two assemblies which are critical in shaping the laws of the country.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 88 (5) and 90 of the Constitution, section 4 (n) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, 2011, sections 34, 35, 36 (1) (a)–(d), 4, 5, 6 and 8 of the Elections Act, 2011, Regulations 54, 55 and 56 of the Election (General) Regulations, 2012 and Regulation 26 of the Election (Party Primaries and Party Lists) Regulations, 2017, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries  Commission gives notice to the public that the persons listed in the 2nd Column to the Schedules stand validly nominated to the National Assembly and Senate representing the Political Parties listed in the 6th Column to the First Schedule and 5th Column to the Second, Third and Fourth Schedules respectively.

"Each candidate reflects the appropriate number of qualified candidates and alternates between male and female, save for the women candidates under Article 98 (1) (b) of the Constitution, in priority in which they were listed. The seats referred to in the schedules have been allocated in proportion to the total number of seats won by the candidates of the political party at the general election held on the 9th August 2022," the gazette notice read.

John Mbadi, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chairman was nominated to the National Assembly by the party. Alongside him are Irene Nyakerario Mayaka and Umulkher Harun Mohamed.

Sabina Wanjiru Chege, the former Murang'a Woman Representative, was also nominated to the National Assembly by the Jubilee Party.

As for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) under president-elect, William Ruto, Jackson Kipkemoi Kosgei, Teresia Wanjiru Mwangi, Abdisirat Khalif Ali, Dorothy Muthoni Ikiara and Joseph Wainaina Iraya were nominated to the National Assembly.

Joseph Hamisi Denar was nominated by the Amani National Congress (ANC) while Suleka Hulbale Harun was nominated by the United Democratic Movement (UDM), both of whom are under the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

Wiper Party did not allocate its nominee to the National Assembly due to an interim court order restraining the Commission from allocating the seat.

Karen Nyamu was nominated as a woman member, of the senate alongside 7 others by UDA. They included Veronica Waheti Nduati, Roselinda Soipan Tuya, Miraj Abdillahi Abdulrahman, Gloria Magoma Orwoba, Joyce Chepkoech Korir, Peris Pesi Tobiko and Maureen Tabitha Mutinda.

5 women were nominated by ODM. They include Catherine Muyeka Mumma, Beatrice Akinyi Oyomo, Hamida Ali Kibwana, Betty Batuli Montet and Beth Kalunda Syengo.

Margaret Jepkoech Kamar was nominated by Jubilee, Mariam Sheikh Omar by UDM and Shakila Abdalla Mohamed by Wiper.

Hezena Lemaletian was nominated by ODM to the Senate to represent the youth while Raphael Chimera Mwinzagu was nominated by UDA in the same category.

"I do not take for granted the favour of Our Omnipotent, Omniscient God. The honour bestowed upon me by my party leader H.E RT. Hon. Raila Odinga, the resolute belief and the safe space created by my party, the ODM party for the empowerment of women and the firm support of my fellow Kenyan youth.

"Words cannot express the magnitude of gratitude I feel for appearing on the nomination list for Senate," she stated on Thursday, July 28.

Lemaletian had previously dropped her ambitions for the Samburu County Woman Representative seat ahead of the August 9, 2022, General Elections following extensive consultations with Azimio la Umoja coalition presidential candidate, Raila Odinga and elders from her community.

Former Sauti Sol protégé Crystal Asige was nominated to represent persons with disabilities by ODM while UDA picked George Mungai Mbugua.

Asige, who is famous for her distinctive verse in the band's hit song Extravaganza in 2019, had parted ways with Sauti Sol's talent mentorship project - Sol Generation, barely 10 months into her stint. 

Ex-Sauti Sol signee, Crystal Asige. /TWITTER