IEBC Announces By Election After Wetangula Elected Speaker

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced a by-election for the Bungoma senatorial seat, following the election of Moses Wetangula as Speaker of the National Assembly.

A gazette notice issued on Thursday, October 6 revealed that the by-elections are scheduled for Thursday, December 8, 2022.

"In exercise of powers conferred by Articles 85, 88 (4), 98 (1) (a), 99, 101 (4) and 103 (1) (d) of the Constitution of Kenya, sections, 5 (1) (b), 13 (3), 16, 24, 26, 30, 32, 33, 38, 38A, 43 (5A) and 74 of the Elections Act, 2011 and Regulations 11 (4), 12 (1), 13B, and 14, 15, Parts VI and IX of the Election (General) Regulations, 2012, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission gives notice that 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 26th September 2022, there shall be a by-election for Member of the Senate for Bungoma County on Thursday, 8th December 2022," the notice read in part.

Each Political Party intending to participate in the by-elections shall submit the names of the persons contesting in a party primary and the date of the party primary on or before Thursday, October 13, 2022.

A public officer who intends to contest in the by-election shall resign from public office within seven (7) days of the declaration of the vacancy by the Speaker.

The Commission shall publish, in the Gazette, the names of the persons contesting in a party primary and the date of the party primary within seven (7) days of receipt of the names of the candidates.

Political parties intending to present a candidate in this election shall conduct their primaries on or before Wednesday, October 19, 2022.

"Candidates intending to participate in the by-elections as independent candidates shall not 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 its primaries resolve all intra-party disputes and submit the list of persons nominated to contest in this election to the Commission on or before Monday, 24th October 2022," added the notice.

The days for the nomination of political party candidates and independent candidates for the by-election shall be on Thursday, November 10, and Friday, November 11, and the nomination papers shall be delivered by the candidates to the Returning Officer between the hours of eight o’clock in the morning and one o’clock in the afternoon and between the hours of two o’clock and four o’clock in the afternoon at the place designated by the Commission. 

Disputes relating to or arising from nominations shall be determined within ten (10) days of the lodging of the dispute with the Commission in any event not later than Monday, November 21, 2022.

The campaign period for purposes of the December 8 by-election shall commence upon the nomination of the candidate on Wednesday, November 9, and cease on Tuesday, December 6, 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.

Chebukati also gazetted the by-elections for Ololmasani, Kyome/Thaana, Utawala, Mumias North and South Gem Wards in Narok, Kitui, Nairobi City, Kakamega and Siaya county assemblies to be held on the same date (Thursday, December 8).