August 9

IEBC defers Kakamega, Mombasa elections

Thursday, August 18th, 2022 10:00 | By
IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati during the announcement of the presidential election results at the Bomas of Kenya yesterday afternoon. pd/John Ochieng
IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati during the announcement of the presidential election results at the Bomas of Kenya on August 15, 2022. PHOTO/File

The electoral commission yesterday postponed gubernatorial elections for Mombasa and Kakamega counties, as well as five other constituencies and wards.

Commission chairperson Wafula Chebukati said elections, which were set to take place on August 23, will not be held following the murder of its official and harassment of others.

In a statement, Chebukati expressed concerns that some of its critical staff, who objectively and impartially performed their duties at the National Tallying Centre, were being intimidated and harassed through profiling and/or arbitrary arrests.

The commission was also supposed to hold elections in Kitui Rural constituency (Kitui), Kacheliba (West Pokot), Pokot South and Rongai (Nakuru) and in various wards including Nyaki West in Meru , Kwa Njenga and Embakasi South constituency in Nairobi.

Political affiliation

“In view of the prevailing circumstances, the commission has postponed the by-elections slated for August 23 to a date to be announced through a gazette notice for the following: gubernatorial positions – Mombasa and Kakamega counties,” he said.

He added: “During the announcement of the presidential results, the chairman Wafula 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. We call for the arrest and prosecution of these assailants regardless of their political affiliation,” he said.

Chebukati condoled with the family of Embakasi East Returning Officer, Daniel Musyoka, who went missing August 11 and his body later found at Loitoktok, Kajiado County August 15. He regretted that just like the late ICT Manager, Chris Msando, Musyoka lost his life while on duty.

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