The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been barred from conducting an upcoming by-election following a petition filed by Gatundu South Member of Parliament, Moses Kuria.
The High court on Thursday, September 30, barred IEBC from conducting the Kiagu Ward by-election after the disqualification of Chama Cha Kazi candidate, Milton Mwendwa.
The court has directed IEBC to address the standoff with Kuria's affiliated party before going on with the by-election.
The decision to bar the electoral body from progressing with the preparation of the poll follows their announcement that was made on Thursday, September 23, disqualifying Mwenda from the Kiagu County Assembly ward by-election in Meru County that was slated for October 14, 2021.
The disqualification was informed by IEBC Committee findings that Milton failed to resign as a public officer within the legally provided timeline of seven days after the declaration of the vacancy.
"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."
Kuria through his social media page he lamented about the move vowing to challenge the decision in court despite IEBC offering his party 72 hours to submit another candidate to fill in the position.
He pointed accusing fingers at the UDA coordinator for the region for petition IEBC to disqualify Chama Cha Kazi candidate.
"IEBC has disqualified the Chama Cha Kazi candidate for Kiagu By-Election Milton Mwenda Kabobo following a petition by the South Imenti UDA Coordinator Salesio Mutuma Thuranira. The party has been asked to submit a replacement candidate. We are dissatisfied with this decision and we will move to the High Court," part of Kuria's social media post read.
Nathan Gitonga of the National Ordinary People Empowerment Union (Nopeu) was also disqualified from taking part in the by-election.
The seat fell vacant after the demise of Eunice Karegi of Governor Alfred Mutua's Maendeleo Chap Chap party (MCC)
