By Phillip Orwa
Speaking earlier today, Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan confirmed that the official polling dates will be announcing in a Gazette Notice the date for the by elections and even hinted that November 27th is the likely date.
A few hours after the press announcement, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) publicized a gazette notice detailing the affected seats, in accordance with the Elections Act and the Constitution of Kenya.
According to the Gazette Notice by IEBC, the by-elections will be conducted in two phases to capture all vacancies reported from both the county assemblies and Parliament.
The first phase lists sixteen ward seats that fell vacant in different parts of the country that include Samburu County: Angata Nanyokie Ward, Nandi County: Chemundu, Kapng’etuny Ward Tana River County: Chewani Ward, Garissa County: Fafi Ward, Nairobi City County: Kariobangi North Ward, Kakamega County: Kisa East Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet County: Metkei Ward, Machakos County: Mumbuni North Ward, Narok County: Narok Town Ward, Kajiado County: Purko Ward, Uasin Gishu County: Tembelio Ward, Nyamira County: Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya and Ekerenyo Wards
Turkana County: Lake Zone and Nanaam Wards
These vacancies arose due to a combination of factors, including resignations, nullification of results by the courts, and deaths of elected leaders.
The second gazette notice captured additional electoral areas, including:
Member of Senate – Baringo County (1 seat), Members of the National Assembly – Banissa Constituency in Mandera County, Kasipul Constituency (Homa Bay), Magarini Constituency (Kilifi), Malava Constituency (Kakamega), Mbeere North Constituency (Embu), and Ugunja Constituency (Siaya), Member of County Assembly – Kabuchai, Chwele Ward in Bungoma County.
The Banissa Constituency seat in Mandera County felt vacant following the nullification of the 2022 election results by the Supreme Court earlier this year, while the Baringo Senate seat became vacant after the demise of the sitting senator.
The Kasipul Seat felt vacant after the former area MP was shot dead near City Mortuary, Nairobi Hospital and Mbagathi Hospital Round about, while the Ugunja seat felt vacant after Opiyo Wandayi was nominated a Cabinet Secretary in Charge of Energy, the Mbeere North seat felt vacant after Geoffrey Ruku was appointed CS for Public Service.
In its notice, the IEBC called upon all eligible voters in the affected areas to ensure that they are listed in the register of voters for their respective polling stations.
The commission also reminded political parties and independent candidates to adhere strictly to the electoral code of conduct during campaigns.
“All by-elections will be conducted in strict compliance with the law, ensuring transparency, fairness, and integrity in the electoral process,” said Marjan.
