Mathare by-election pushed to August 11 as independent candidate gets go-ahead

Mathare, Kenya: The Mathare by-election will now be held on August 11, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced.

The electoral body resolved to push back the mini polls by four days to allow it to include the name of former Kasarani MP William Omondi on the ballot.

The commission was compelled to take the step after High Court Judge Isaac Lenaola {pictured) ordered it to have Omondi’s name on the ballot as an independent candidate.

Justice Lenaola ruled that the IEBC had no grounds to lock out the former legislator from contesting the by-election scheduled for August 7.

The judge set aside IEBC’s decision to bar Omondi from vying on grounds that he is a life member of ODM.

“We have resolved to push the elections to August 11,” Thomas Letangule told The Standard after IEBC commissioners meet.

He, however, said the Gatundu South by-election will go on August 7.

The commission postponed the mini polls to allow Omondi to file his nomination papers as an independent candidate and also order for fresh printing of ballot papers.

The former Kasarani MP will now battle it out with ODM’s Stephen Kariuki and TNA’s George Wanjohi.

Former Youth Enterprise Fund Chairman Gor Semelang’o is also in court seeking orders to compel the electoral body to allow him to contest the by-election.

Semelang’o argues the law used to bar him from contesting for failing to resign six months to the by-election does not apply to him since he was dismissed. The case is due for hearing on Thursday morning before Justice Mumbi Ngugi.