The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazetted the date for the Bungoma senatorial by-election following the election of Moses Wetangula as the Speaker of the National Assembly.
In a notice churned out by IEBC on Thursday, October 6, IEBC announced that the mini-poll would be conducted in December 2022, following Wetangula's resignation from office.
"Following the declaration of vacancy that occurred in the office of Member of Senate For Bungoma County confirmed by respective speakers of the senate vide a letter dated September 26, 2022, there shall be a by-election on Thursday, December 8," the notice read in part.
IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati instructed political parties to submit the list of individuals interested to succeed the Speaker on or before October 13.
Those with more than one candidate should conclude with primaries by October 19.
Chebukati also gave conditions for public officers and independent candidates seeking to replace Wetangula in the county oversight role.
"A public officer who intends to contest in the by-election shall resign within seven days of the declaration of the vacancy by the speaker.
"Candidates intending to participate in the by-elections as independent candidates shall not have been members of any political party at least three months immediately before the gazetted date," Chebukati noted.
The Commission also announced that by-elections for Utawala (Nairobi), Kyome/Thaana (Kitui), Ololmasani (Narok), Mumias North (Kakamega), and South Gem (Siaya) wards will be held on December 8.
IEBC will receive the nominations for county assembly seats by October 24. In addition, it gazetted that campaigns be held strictly between 7a.m and 6 p.m.
All aspirants seeking to contest in the mini-polls have been asked to ensure that they comply with provisions of Chapter Six -Leadership and Integrity - of the Constitution.
In addition, Chebukati demanded that prospective candidates comply with the Electoral Code of Conduct and warned that anyone found guilty of an election offense will be liable to penalties under the Election Offenses Act.
Among those interested in succeeding Wetangula include former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga and the Speaker's long-serving personal assistant Wafula Wakoli.
