Editor's Review

The Amended Political Parties Act stipulates that Party primaries are expected to conclude nominations by April 22.

The Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu has announced that political aspirants who lose party primaries will be allowed to vie as Independent candidates.

Nderitu on Thursday said candidates who will be unsuccessful in the primaries will have to resign from their parties before contesting on an Independent ticket.

The aspirants will however not be allowed to join other political parties. The window for joining parties closes on May 26.

The Amended Political Parties Act stipulates that Party primaries are expected to conclude nominations by April 22.

"As the law stands now, within those ten days, someone can vie as an independent candidate," Nderitu said as quoted by the Star.

She also revealed that Independent candidates have until May 2 to submit their symbols.

{Registrar of parties Anne Nderitu. Image: Courtesy}

Her announcement is a reprieve to many aspirants who might be short-changed in the party primaries as it gives them a lifeline.

Party primaries are marred with controversies with some aspirants making claims of favouritism and vote-rigging.

Nderitu spoke during her appearance before the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.

She had appeared to shed light on the status of the implementation of the Amended Political Parties Act.