IEBC Announces New Dates For Kakamega, Mombasa Elections

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has for the second time announced new dates for the previously suspended gubernatorial elections in Kakamega and Mombasa counties.

Speaking during a forum at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 22, the team headed by Chairman Wafula Chebukati revealed that the exercise will take place on Monday, August 29.

The decision was arrived at following a meeting between the affected candidates of the counties and Chebukati, alongside all seven IEBC commissioners, including the four 'breakaway' commissioners.

However, some of the candidates lamented that the new time period was too short for them, which affects their campaign period.

"We have only four days to campaign, it is too short. What I am proposing chair is to campaign till the end of this month," suggested one of the members amidst jeers from his colleagues.

Chebukati, in a statement dated Wednesday, August 17, noted that the areas that were to be affected by the recent postponement include the two counties, MPs elections in Kitui, Kacheliba, Pokot South, and Rongai in Nakuru.

MCAs elections in Nyaki West and Kwa Njenga wards in Imenti and Embakasi South were also to be affected.

"In view of the prevailing circumstances, the Commission has postponed the by-elections slated for 23rd August 2022, to a date to be announced through a gazette notice," read the statement in part.

The gubernatorial elections in Kakamega and Mombasa were initially suspended after inaccurate details of the candidates were found on the ballot papers meant for the two counties.

Ballot papers for Kakamega county governor had wrong pictures of candidates and their details printed on them. Mombasa gubernatorial ballot papers encountered the same issue.

The by-elections would have been influenced by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)'s victory over the Azimio la Umoja coalition, culminating in the declaration of William Ruto as president-elect, especially in Mombasa which was commonly known as an Azimio hotspot.

Chebukati expressed worry about some of the commission's key staff being intimidated and harassed while carrying out their duties, noting that it has since caused fear among them.

"The Commission is concerned that some of its critical staff who objectively and impartially performed their duties at the National Tallying Centre are being intimidated and harassed through profiling and/or arbitrary arrests.

"This has instilled fear within the staff, who are now unable to report to the office for duty. This harassment must stop forthwith," he noted.

During the announcement of the presidential results, Chebukati, Commissioners Prof. Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, and CS/CEO Marjan H. Marjan were physically attacked, assaulted, and injured by persons in the company of certain political leaders.

Mombasa Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) gubernatorial candidate Abdullswamad Sharif Nassir had promised to go to court to compel Chebukati to conduct the elections on Tuesday, August 23 as earlier communicated.

Mombasa gubernatorial hopeful Abdullswamad Sharif Nassir. /FILE