The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has scheduled the Nairobi gubernatorial by-election on February 18, 2021.
This comes after the Senate on Thursday, December 17 upheld the impeachment of the former Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko.
A gazette notice dated Monday, December 21 revealed the date set for the Nairobi gubernatorial by-election.
"Following the declaration of vacancy that occurred in the office of the County Governor Nairobi City County.
"Following the impeachment and subsequently the swearing-in of the Speaker of the County Assembly of Nairobi as the acting County Governor on December 21, 2020, there shall be a by-election for the County Governor of Nairobi County on Thursday, February 18, 2021," read the gazette in part.
Political parties intending to participate in the by-election were directed to submit the names of the persons contesting in party primaries and the dates of the nominations on or before Monday, December 28.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati noted that the campaign period for Nairobi's top seat will run between January 18, 2021, and February 15, 2021.
The Nairobi gubernatorial aspirants who hold a public office were handed a seven-day window that expires on Monday to resign from their position.
Political parties intending to field candidates in the by-election will have up to January 11, 2021, to submit the list of the nominees after resolving all intra-party disputes arising from the primaries.
The gazette notice also stated that independent candidates must not have been members of any political party at least three months before the date of the by-election.
Independent candidates were also handed a deadline of Monday, December 28 to submit their names and symbols they intend to use during the mini-poll.
The nominated and independent candidates will be required to present their nomination papers to respective returning officers on January 18 and 19, 2021 between 8 a.m and 1 p.m, and between 2 p.m and 4 p.m at a place designated by the IEBC.
Disputes relating to or arising from nominations shall be determined within 10 days of the lodging of the dispute with IEBC and in any event not later than January 28, 2021.
Chebukati further noted that political parties and independent candidates will be required to appoint and submit to IEBC the names of their county and constituency election agents on or before February 4, 2021.
Candidates tipped to replace Sonko include, former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru, 2013 presidential candidate Peter Kenneth, lawyer Miguna Miguna and former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo.
