No direct ticket for Magara

Orange Democratic Movement’s national treasurer Omingo Magara will be subjected to the party’s nomination rules ahead of the by-elections in South Mugirango constituency.

The “nomination rules were clear” and the party would not bend them to suit one of its officials, secretary general Anyang’ Nyong’o told a press conference at Nairobi’s Orange House.

The High Court nullified Mr Magara’s election last year.

Prof Nyong’o said the former MP would have to join all the other ODM aspirants for a party meeting in which the nomination procedures would be discussed.

Countdown

A similar meeting, he said, would also be held for the Matuga constituency hopefuls.

House Speaker Kenneth Marende will effectively start the countdown to the South Mugirango by-election on March 18 when he officially hands out the writs to the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.

Afterwards the commission will have 90 days within which to conduct the by-elections.