In a series of changes, Treasury CS John Mbadi has been replaced by Harold Kimuge Kipchumba in Parliament following the announcement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of a reallocation of special seats in both the National Assembly and County Assemblies across Kenya.
In a special Gazette Notice dated July 22, IEBC Chairman Erustus Ethekon announced that ten special seats had been reallocated following the resignations and passing on of previously nominated members, as well as adjustments to correct inconsistencies in party list nominations submitted during the 2022 General Election.
"In line with this mandate, the Commission has re-allocated one (1) special seat in the National Assembly and nine (9) special seats in various County Assemblies, following declarations of vacancies by the respective Speakers. The re-allocations were officially published on Thursday, 24th July 2025, in a special issue of the Kenya Gazette," the statement read in part.
Mbadi who had been nominated under the workers' category by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been replaced by Kipchumba who is also from ODM, nominated under the Persons with Disabilities category.
Nine other changes were made at the county level, affecting special seat nominees in Garissa, Murang’a, Kiambu, Taita Taveta, Makueni, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, and Kakamega counties.
The changes include shifts in nomination categories such as youth, persons with disabilities, minority groups, and gender top-up lists.
In Garissa, Dubat Abdikadir Adan was nominated to replace Abdi Gedi Adow. However, Adan takes the position in another authority under the Youth category, while Adow served as a representative of PWDs for UDA.
In Murang’a County, Kirumwa Peter Mbogo replaces Wainaina Mark Gicheru as a nominee representing Minority Groups, also under UDA.
In Kiambu County, Wainaina Lawrence Mburu is replacing Kihara Ezra Kabuga, with the special interest category changed from Marginalised to Youth.
Other changes were announced under the Gender Top-Up Lists; Ann Wambui Mukuru has replaced Constance Mwandawiro under the Wiper Democratic Movement in Taita Taveta County while Esther Mwongeli replaced Magdalene Kamene Nguluku, both of Maendeleo Chap Chap Party in Makueni County.
In Nyandarua, Jane Gathira Njoroge now replaces Beth Wahito Njoroge, under UDA. In Kirinyaga County Chege Flasia Nduta, replaced Pauline Wairimu Kamau, also under UDA.
ODM also made notable replacements in Kakamega County, switching Phaustine Werimo with Lucy Kendi Khayadi, and Godliver Omondi with Linet Wanga Imbayi, both on the gender top-up list.
According to the newly sworn-in chair, IEBC is committed to upholding the constitutional principles of fairness, inclusivity, and transparency in the electoral process.
