The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has disqualified a candidate affiliated to Gatundu South Member of Parliament, Moses Kuria's Chama Cha Kazi party.
Through an announcement made on Thursday, September 23, IEBC stated that Milton Mwenda will not be allowed to contest in the Kiagu County Assembly ward by-election in Meru County that is slated for October 14, 2021.
The IEBC Committee found that Milton failed to resign as a public officer within the legally provided timeline of seven days after the declaration of the vacancy.
Kuria's party was, however, given 72 hours to submit another candidate for to fill in the position.
Nathan Gitonga of the National Ordinary People Empowerment Union (Nopeu) was also disqualified from contesting in the by-election for reasons similar to those of Mwenda.
Gitonga's party was, however, not given an opportunity to nominate another candidate.
"The commission’s Leadership and Integrity Vetting Committee has disqualified Milton Mwenda and Nathan Gitonga from contesting in the Kiagu County Assembly ward by-election in Meru County that is slated for 14th October 2021," IEBC wrote in their statement.
"The Committee found the two failed to resign as public officers within the legally provided timeline of 7 days after the declaration of the vacancy. Chama Cha Kazi party has been given the option of nominating another candidate within 72 hours to contest in the by-election."
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) associated with Deputy President William Ruto is considered the favourite in the race, with its candidate, Simon Kiambi, gaining more ground.
Other candidates who were cleared and handed certificates to contest by IEBC Returning Officer Pamela Karimi include Haron Kaburu (Maendeleo Chap Chap party), Samson Magambo (Jubilee), Joseph Mwangi of Democratic Party, Patrick Kananda of Chama Cha Uzalendo and Joshua Nabea of Ford Kenya.
Others are Scholastica Mwendwa (Party of Democratic Unity), Douglas Kirimi (Safina), and Phillip Micheni (Peoples Party of Kenya).
The seat fell vacant following the demise of Eunice Karegi of Governor Alfred Mutua's Maendeleo Chap Chap party (MCC).
