IEBC postpones Kakamega, Mombasa Governor elections, again

Elections officers arrive with ballot boxes at Naivasha Boarding Primary school in Naivasha. [Anthony Gitonga, Standard]

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has postponed Kakamega and Mombasa governorship elections scheduled for August 23. No new dates were given.

The postponement will also affect MCA and MP elections in six other areas.

In a statement by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati this Wednesday evening, the commission says the elections have been moved to a later undisclosed date.

"In view of the prevailing circumstances, the commission has postponed the by-elections slated for August 23, 2022, to a date to be announced through a gazette notice," Chebukati says.

Other areas that will be affected are MPs for Kitui Rural Constituency, Kacheliba Constituency, Pokot South Constituency, Rongai Constituency as well as MCAs for Nyaki West Ward in Meru County and Kwa Njenga in Nairobi.

On Tuesday, August 9, the commission announced the suspension of elections in eight electoral areas and set by-elections for August 23, 2022.

"The Commission has resolved to hold by-elections in eight electoral areas due to court orders, and mismatch of ballot materials on August 23, 2022," said IEBC Commissioner Mr Francis Wandera.

He said that the postponement of the election in the areas was occasioned by court orders and a mix-up in ballot materials' contents.

Mr Wanderi explained that the short turnaround time was arrived at by the Commission in order to give voters in the electoral areas a short period to elect their leaders.

One of the commissioners, Professor Abdi Guliye, clarified that campaigns for the August 9 elections stand suspended. He said that the suspension of campaigns still holds as the by-elections have been necessitated by emergencies.