The late Member of Parliament Justus Murunga’s widow Christabel Murunga and son Eugene Ambwere are both awaiting vetting by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ahead of the by-elections.
The duo, running as independent candidates, will be among 23 aspirants who are awaiting a go ahead by the IEBC before the by-elections slated for March 4, 2021.
“My intention is to complete the term that was left by my father. I understand a lot of ideas he had in mind for Matungu and I just want to fulfill them,” Ambwere said.
During the burial of the late Murunga in Matungu, Kakamega County, Christabel stated that she was equally able and would continue with his development agenda if people gave her the chance.
"My dear husband was such a darling to me. He was responsible, so caring and so loving. He was a good father to my girls. People of Matungu, I love you all. Now, I will double the love for you by adding his to mine. Do not worry at all. I will try to fit in his shoes," she stated.
Constituency Returning Officer John Kirui told the Nation that nomination forms will be returned on January 18 for validation.
He added that independent candidates needed to ensure that they were not members of any political party, three months to the by-election.
Murunga, who served as Matungu MP, died on Saturday night, November 14, after collapsing at his home.
He passed away while being administered first aid at the St. Mary’s Mission Hospital in Mumias, Kakamega County.
The MP had earlier been discharged from the Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu, where he was receiving treatment for diabetes and Covid-19.
His family, however, is not the first one to be divided by an election. The most recent was the family of the late Kipkalya Kones where the current Bomet East MP Beatrice Kones beat her son Kipng'etich Kones in the 2017 General Election.
