IEBC to rule on Gatundu by-elections withdrawal

The electoral commission is on Monday expected to decide if TNA candidate Moses Kuria should be declared the MP for Gatundu South unopposed after his main opponent withdrew from the race.

Mr Kuria’s sole challenger, Mr Kamere of New Democrats party, withdrew from the race last Friday.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission communications officer Tabitha Mutemi said a decision on the matter will be communicated on Monday.

“It was only last Friday when we heard the candidate had withdrawn. A final decision will be made officially at the beginning of the week,” she said on phone.

Although the candidate said he has written to the IEBC informing it of his decision, there are no clear guidelines on what should be done in case one pulls out after being cleared to run.

Speaking in Gatundu on Sunday, Mr Kuria said IEBC should spare voters “the inconvenience of going to cast their ballots in an unnecessary exercise and save taxpayers money.”

“Since the law is silent on the matter, the logical thing to do is declare me elected unopposed,” said the TNA candidate after attending fundraising meetings at the PCEA Gichuka church and in Gatundu Town.

Both candidates’ names have already been printed on the ballot and should IEBC proceed with the Gatundu South by-election on Thursday, then Mr Kamere would still be eligible for election despite having pulled out.

This could complicate matters for Mr Kuria since his sole opponent was seen as a front runner and there is a likelihood that his supporters may still vote for him.

STATE HOUSE PRESSURE

Announcing his withdrawal Mr Kamere said he made the move as a show of respect for President Kenyatta and to avoid antagonising the TNA party at his backyard.

He denied that he was under pressure to step down but he admitted he had been summoned to State House prior to convening a press conference in Nairobi to announce his move.

“Gatundu South being the home of the President, I do not wish be the cause or be associated with political divisions and unnecessary tensions in his backyard,” Mr. Kamere said.

However, Mr Kamere’s decision to pull out the race did not go down well with his supporters who felt let down. These included a key campaigner and financier Joseph Gachemi.

Mr Gachemi later said many voters were disappointed and that democracy should have prevailed.