By RAWLINGS OTIENO

By-elections in three constituencies will most likely be held in October, The Standard has learnt.

The constituencies in question are those recently left vacant as a result of the deaths of Cabinet ministers.

House Speaker Kenneth Marende has revealed that he will today issue writs declaring the seats vacant paving way for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to carry out the by-elections.

The Issack Hassan-led IEBC will have 21 days within which to announce the date for the by-elections. The aspirants will then have 60 days to campaign.

Kangema, Ndhiwa, and Kajiado constituencies have been without representations after ministers John Michuki (Environment), George Saitoti (Internal Security), and Joshua Orwa Ojode (Assistant Minister for Internal Security) died.

Michuki died in February at the Aghakan Hospital, Nairobi, after being admitted at the ICU following a long illness.

Saitoti and Ojode died after their police helicopter crashed five minutes after take-off from Wilson Airport at Kibiku area in Ngong on June 10.

 “I have consulted the IEBC on their readiness to conduct a by-election on the three constituencies. I will be declaring the vacancies and the writs within the next 24 hours,” said Marende yesterday.

Speaking when European Union officials paid courtesy call on him at his Parliament office, Marende said that the House was on course to pass the necessary laws before August 26.

On police reforms, the Speaker said Parliament had passed crucial Bills to effect them, including the passage of the Police Service Act 2012. He expressed optimism that the standoff over the National Police Service Commission will be resolved.

EU Head of Delegation Ambassador Lodewijk Briet said the Union supports credible and fair elections.

Briet expressed that they have supported IEBC and will not pump in more money irrespective of the budget deficit the Hassan team is facing.

“We had given ten per cent of the total budget and we will not add any more. It is up to the Kenyan people to conduct free, credible and fair elections,” said the envoy.

Accompanied by other envoys of EU members, Briet told IEBC to deal with biometric voting materials issue before the General Election.

The envoys assured the Speaker of their unwavering support during the General Election.