IEBC announces by-election date for Bungoma Senate seat, 5 wards

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula at the Safari Park hotel, Nairobi on September 22, 2022. [Elvis Ogina,Standard]

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazetted December 8, 2022 as the date for Bungoma Senate by-election.

This is after office holder Moses Wetangula was elected Speaker of the National Assembly on September 8, 2022.

"Following declaration of vacancy that occurred in the office of Member of the Senate for Bungoma County, confirmed by the respective Speakers of the Senate vide a letter dated the September 26, 2022, there shall be a by-election for Member of the Senate for Bungoma County on December 8, 2022," IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati said in the Gazette Notice dated October 4, 2022.

IEBC has since asked political parties intending to participate in the by-elections to submit the names of the persons contesting in the party primaries as well as the date for the party primaries before Thursday, October, 13.

Additionally, public officers who wish to contest for the seat have been asked to resign within seven days of the declaration of the vacancy by the Speaker.

Notable politicians eyeing the seat are former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga, Jacob Machacha Majembe, who is a former aide of former minister Fred Gumo; Bishop Harman Kasili, who is the chairperson of the Lake Region Economic Bloc private sector organisations; Wetangula's aide Wafula Wakoli and Agfrey Mutuma Namisi.

At the same time, the by-elections for South Gem Ward in Siaya County, Kyome/Thaana in Kitui County, Oloimasani Ward in Narok County, Utawala Ward in Nairobi County and Mumias North in Kakamega County, will also be held on December 8, 2022.

The elections for the five wards were postponed following the death of candidates who had been cleared.

"Political Parties whose candidates passed on, are required to submit the details of their candidates for the by-election to the Commission on or before Monday, October 24," said the IEBC.

The Gazette Notice adds that candidates who had been cleared to participate in this election prior to the August 9, 2022 General Election, should share their details and documents with the respective returning officers.