The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced dates for by-elections to be held in Kiambaa Constituency and Muguga Ward, Kiambu County.
The two seats fell vacant following the deaths of MP Paul Koinange and Eliud Ngugi Ngige, respectively.
IEBC on April 26, issued a statement, announcing that the two mini polls will be held on July 15, 2021.
"Following declaration of vacancy that occurred in the office of Member of National Assembly for Kiambaa Constituency and Member of County Assembly, Muguga Ward, Kiambu County, confirmed by the Speakers of the National Assembly and County Assembly of Kiambu vide letters dated 15th April 2021 and 26th March 2021 respectively, there shall be by-elections for Member of National Assembly for Kiambaa Constituency and Member of County Assembly, Muguga Ward, Kiambu County on Thursday, 15th July 2021," the gazette notice read in part.
Political parties intending to participate in the by-election have been directed to submit the names of the persons contesting in a party primary and the date of the party primary on or before Monday, May 3, 2021.
IEBC further announced that public officers intending to contest in the by-election, resign from public office within seven (7) days of the declaration of the vacancy by the Speaker.
The commission will gazette the names of the contestants of party primaries and the date of the party primaries within seven (7) days of receipt of the names of the candidates.
IEBC requires those intending to participate in the by-election as independent candidates not to have been members of any political party at least three (3) months immediately before the date of the by-election.
"Political parties intending to present candidates in this election shall, after their primaries resolve all intra-party disputes and submit the list of persons nominated to contest in this by-election to the Commission on or before Monday, 17th May, 2021," the notice read.
"Political parties intending to present candidates in this election through direct nominations shall submit the list of persons nominated to contest in this election to the Commission on or before Monday, 17th May 2021.
"Candidates intending to participate in this election as independent candidates shall submit their names and symbols that they intend to use during the by-elections for purposes of the nomination of independent candidates to the Commission on or before Monday, 3rd May 2021," the notice adds.
The commission stated that disputes relating to or arising from nominations shall be determined within ten days of the lodging of the dispute with the IEBC in any event not later than Friday, June 4, 2021.
The campaign period for purposes of the Thursday, July 15, 2021, a by-election shall commence on, Monday, May 24, 2021, and cease on Monday, July 12, 2021, being 48 hours before the by-election day.
The campaign time shall run from 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. during the campaign period.
"Political parties and Independent candidates shall appoint and submit to the Commission the names of their Constituency Elections Agents to the Commission on or before Thursday, 1st July 2021," IEBC notes.
