Mini poll to elect senator in March

 

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati. [File, Standard]

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set the Machakos senatorial by-election for March 23, 2021.

The seat remained vacant following the death of Senator Boniface Kabaka on December 11.

The late Machakos Senator Boniface Kabaka. [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati announced the by-election date in a Gazette Notice dated December 28, setting the stage for a political contest.

Interested aspirants seeking the nod of political parties and independent candidates have until Monday next week to submit their names to the commission.

“Each political party intending to participate in the by-election shall submit the names of persons contesting in a party primary and the date of the exercise on or before Monday, January 4,” directed Mr Chebukati.

He said a public officer who intends to contest in the by-election shall resign from public office within seven days of the declaration of the vacancy by the Senate speaker.

Independent candidates “shall not be members of any political party at least 90 days immediately before the date of by-election.”

Chebukati said parties intending to present candidates in the by-election through direct nominations must submit the list of persons nominated to the commission on or before January 18.

Kabaka was elected on Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) ticket, which is an affiliate of the National Super Alliance (NASA).

The seat is likely to be a battleground for Wiper, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap, Jubilee Party and ODM.