Reprieve for independents as MPs reject symbol restrictions

MPs have amended the Elections (Amendments) Bill, 2024, removing strict nationwide restrictions on campaign symbols for independent candidates.

Members of Parliament have handed aspirants who seek to vie as independent candidates in the 2027 general elections a major relief on the use of symbols after removing the current strict conditions.

Aspirants who will vie as independent candidates in next year’s elections will now be allowed to use similar symbols as their counterparts in other counties.

The Wiper leader is weighing a fresh presidential bid, a possible alliance with Rigathi Gachagua and overtures from Ruto as divisions deepen over who should lead team.

Kanu-era LDP, FPK, Federal Party and Kadu Asili are among the parties being revived.

Kenya has already watched one redemption coalition take power this decade.

The opposition has been jolted into confronting competing interests.

Bill seeks to scrap interests on loans advanced to university students below 18 years.

At Moi University, the latest nationwide lecturers’ strike is only part of the problem.

They flagged hundreds of thousands of suspicious accounts potentially tied to the student aid fraud network.