IEBC clears Mary Wambui to contest in Othaya parliamentary by-election

By Geoffrey Mosoku

Kenya: The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has paved the way for former Othaya MP Mary Wambui to be nominated as TNA candidate for the April 29 mini poll.

This follows fears that Wambui could have been locked out from seeking to retain her seat due to a provision in the Elections Act that requires one to have post-secondary school education to contest.

However, IEBC, through a circular to political parties, spelt out conditions to be met before nominating a candidate. 

According to the circular, academic qualification is not part of the requirements. Section 22 (1) (b) of the Act states that a person may be nominated as a candidate in an election if he or she holds a post-secondary school qualification recognised in Kenya.

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However, this requirement was put on hold until the next election under the Miscellaneous Amendment Act, 2012, when MPs suspended the clause until after the 2013 general election.

According to insiders, TNA officials were seeking an interpretation as to whether Parliament’s move was only meant for 2013 and thus cannot be applicable in subsequent by-elections including Othaya.