Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission to meet over impending Makueni Senate by-election

By Standard Reporter

MAKUENI, KENYA: The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) meets this week to set the date and estimated cost of the Makueni County Senate by-election.

Commission’s Communication Manager Tabitha Mutemi clarified that a Senate by-election is a new undertaking with multiple permutations.

Mutemi noted that it would be highly speculative and inaccurate to take what it costs to run a National Assembly  by-election and use that to estimate what it might cost to run an election within a whole county.

Ms Mutemi noted that on the advice of the Treasury, the Commission did not factor in by-election costs in its 2012/2013 budget.

“This is to be requisitioned for, as and when it becomes necessary,” said Ms Mutemi in a statement.

IEBC chief executive officer James Oswago (pictured) said the commission will operate within a minimal budget and thanked Treasury for being supportive.

The IEBC has already received writs from Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro declaring the Makueni Senate seat vacant, following the sudden death of Senior Counsel Senator Mutula Kilonzo. While issuing the writs, Mr Ethuro said that after the death of Mutula, he had acted to ensure that the electorate in Makueni do not suffer injustice for lack of a representative in the Senate.

“I have written to the Chairman to confirm to the Commission that the Makueni seat is vacant.

Following this, they (commission) are at liberty to proceed with the by-election,” said Ethuro. He added: “As a Senate, we hope that IEBC will act promptly so that the people of Makueni will have another senator.”

He said in the meantime, the interests of the county would be championed by senators from the neighbouring Kitui and Machakos counties, until the by-election is held.

Good neighbour

“There is no room constitutionally but out of courtesy and good neighbourliness, the senators of the neighbouring counties will be expected to further the interests of Makueni until a new senator is elected,” said Ethuro.

Mutula was found dead at his Maanzoni ranch on April 27 in what his family described as mysterious circumstances.