Editor's Review

“We assure citizens in those respective areas that the Commission is committed to ensuring that their right of representation is realized in the shortest time possible."

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has commenced preparations for the upcoming by-elections across the country.

Speaking on Saturday, July 19, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the commission will work with parliament and political parties to address the issues of pending by-elections in the coming days.

“This is our first priority given the fact that the people in those affected areas must have their elected representatives within the shortest time possible,” he stated. 

Currently, there are 23 pending by-elections across the country, which include Senate (1), National Assembly (6), and Member for County Assemblies (16). 

According to Ethekon, the writs declaring the 7 National Assembly and Senate positions vacant have since expired, and the speakers of the two houses will have to issue new writs.

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File image of the IEBC chairperson and commissioners. 

“In the case of the by-elections to the National Assembly and Senate, the speakers of the respective houses are expected to issue writs declaring the positions vacant. We note that the writs that were issued have since expired.

“We will discuss this matter with speakers of the respective Houses of Parliament. Once we receive the respective writs, IEBC will expeditiously hold by-elections in those areas,” said Ethekon.

The IEBC chair also mentioned that the secretariat has been liaising with Parliament and the National Treasury to secure the necessary budgetary allocations for the by-elections

“We assure citizens in those respective areas that the Commission is committed to ensuring that their right of representation is realized in the shortest time possible. We shall update the country on the anticipated details, including timelines,” Ethekon added.

The Banisa constituency parliamentary seat has remained vacant since March 2023, following the death of Kullow Hassan Aden in a road accident, while the Magarini seat was declared vacant after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Harrison Kombe.

Other vacant parliamentary seats include Malava, following the death of the late Malulu Injendi; Kasipul, whose MP Charles Were was assassinated; and the Baringo Senate seat, left vacant after Senator William Cheptumo passed away.

Mbeere North and Ugunja parliamentary seats, on the other hand, became vacant after their respective MPs, Geoffrey Ruku and Opiyo Wandayi, were appointed to the Cabinet.