IEBC suspends election in four wards

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, address members of the press during the launch National elections call centre and Media Centre on July 31, 2022, at Bomas Of Kenya. [Edward Kiplimo,Standard]

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC has suspended elections in four Wards following the deaths of aspirants.

The four wards include South Gem Ward in Siaya County, Kyome/Thaana Kitui County Mwingi West constituency, Oloimasani Ward in Narok County Emurua Diki Constituency and Utawala Ward in Nairobi County Embakasi East Constituency.

The aspirants died under various circumstances after they had been cleared by IEBC. They are Nick Wanga, Stanley Ngui, Marcelly Kiptonui and Micheal Mwathi respectively.

ODM's Wanga who was buried last week died while undergoing treatment in Kisumu.

He contested the seat in 2013 and 2017 on an ODM ticket but lost.

The law requires the commission to suspend an election when an aspirant dies after they have been cleared.

In this case, electorates in the affected wards will be allowed to vote for the other five elective positions except that of the Member of the County Assembly.

"The commission shall communicate vide a Gazette Notice when the said elections will be held," read the notice.

The South Gem ward seat has attracted nine candidates, among them the incumbent David Audi of the United Democratic Movement (UDM).

Audi, whose home was torched two weeks ago and his vehicle burnt by unknown people is seeking a second term.

He won the seat in the 2017 elections as an independent candidate with 9, 329 votes. ODM's candidate Peter Ombee was second with 2, 988 votes.

In the 2017 elections, the seat attracted seven candidates - Brian Omondi (FPK), Maurice Odera (JP), Daniel Otieno (CCM), Simon Okumu(Independent) and Francis Oduor(Independent).

According to the IEBC data, the ward has a total of 18, 560 registered voters.