By Fredrick Obura

MAKUENI, KENYA: Makueni senatorial by-election will be conducted on July 22, this is according to official communication from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The announcement follows the sudden death of Mutula Kilonzo on 27th April.

“The Commission will hold briefing of political parties on May 28, political party primaries are expected to have been conducted by June 3,” said Tabitha Mutemi, IEBC Manager, Communication and Corporate Affairs.

In accordance with article 101(4) (a) of the Constitution of Kenya, the Independent  Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) received a notice  from the Senate Speaker, Ekwe Ethuro declaring the Makueni Senate seat vacant.

The law requires that a by-election is held within 90 days from the occurrence of a vacancy.

The County Returning Officer (CRO) will be gazetted and issued with a notice to conduct the by election by the IEBC Chairman, Mr. Ahmed Issack Hassan on May 27.

Makueni County has six constituencies namely Mbooni, Makueni, Kilome, Kaiti, Kibwezi East and Kibwezi West.