The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set May 18, 2021 as the Garissa Senatorial by-election date.
In a gazette notice dated March 1, 2021, IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati said that the Juja and Bonchari parliamentary and Rurii ward by-elections will also be conducted on the same date- May 18.
The electoral commission advises candidates intending to vie for the vacant positions to hand in their applications before March 21, 2021.
Political parties intending to participate in the mini polls are also expected to front names of their aspirants to IEBC by March 22, 2021.
The electoral agency has also released timelines for the by-elections campaigns.
“Campaigns would begin on March 29, 2021 and should end by May 15, 2021, which shall be the stipulated 48 hours to the election day,” reads the gazette notice. “The campaign time shall be between 7:00am to 6:00am within the campaign period scheduled.”
The Garissa Senatorial seat fell vacant after the demise of Senator Yusuf Haji on February 15, 2021 at the Aga Khan hospital. On the same day, Bonchari MP John Oyoo died after battling a long illness.
Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu alias “Wakapee” succumbed to cancer on February 22, 2021.
Nyandarua’s Rurii ward MCA Mburu Githinji, alias “Mburu wa Maria” passed away after a long illness on January 11, 2021.