Marende clears way for IEBC to hold mini polls

The stage has been set for by-elections in three constituencies after National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende declared the seats vacant.

The Speaker has formally released writs for Kangema, Kajiado North and Ndhiwa constituencies to the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC), paving way for mini polls that will see new MPs elected in the areas.

Clerk of the National Assembly Patrick Gichohi confirmed that the writs have been issued for the three parliamentary seats, which fell vacant following the deaths of Environment minister John Michuki, Internal Security minister George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode.

Mr Michuki died in February while Prof Saitoti and Mr Ojode perished in a tragic helicopter crash last month.

Already, IEBC has indicated that it is ready for the by-elections. The Commission says it will be able to conduct the by-elections seven months before the March 4 General Election.

There was a holdup in declaring the Kangema seat vacant owing to delay by Parliament in passing changes that had been proposed to the Elections Act under the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill, 2012.

The Act had taken away powers from the Speaker to declare the seats vacant and issue writs to facilitate the conduct of by-elections.

It did not make provisions for conducting by-elections, necessitating the amendments signed by President Kibaki into law early this month.