The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)has rescheduled the Machakos senatorial by-election.
The elections that were supposed to be held on March 23 will now take place on March 18.
According to IEBC, the rescheduling will give room for the smooth running of national examinations scheduled for the week of March 23.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said they had been informed by the Ministry of Education that the national examinations have been scheduled for the week of March 23, thus conflicting with their initial schedule.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Senator Boniface Kabaka late last year. The by-election is among the high profile polls scheduled for this year.
IEBC has also set February 18 for the Nairobi gubernatorial by-election following the impeachment of former governor Mike Sonko. However, the High Court on Monday suspended a Gazette notice calling for the vote.
In his ruling, Justice Anthony Mrima temporarily stopped the poll based on Sonko’s petition challenging the process that led to his ouster late last year.
Other planned by-elections to be conducted by IEBC on March 4, 2021, and whose timelines have not been affected include those for Matungu and Kabuchai constituencies and five for members of county assemblies for Hell’s Gate and London wards in Nakuru County, Huruma, Kiamokama and Kitise/Kithuku wards in Uasin Gishu, Kisii and Makueni counties respectively.
