IEBC ready for by-elections: Wafula Chebukati

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is ready to hold by-elections for the 24 elective positions nullified by the court, Chairman Wafula Chebukati has said.

At the closure of the petition-filing window on September 8, a total of 277 cases had been lodged challenging outcomes of six elective-seat races.

BY-ELECTIONS

“When called upon we shall conduct by-elections but most of those cases are still in the Court of Appeal and we have to wait for the outcome within six months from the date of filing,” said the IEBC chairman on Tuesday in Nakuru.

He said the elections were well conducted as the number of petitions filed are within the acceptable margin.

“In terms of percentage, the margin is acceptable worldwide and the commission did well,” he said.

Out of the 24 nullified cases, 13 are for MCAs, three for governors, seven for members of the National Assembly and one for woman representative.

UNITY

Mr Chebukati lauded President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nasa Principal Raila Odinga following their recent agreement to work together.

Although it is not the role of the IEBC to manage politics, he said, the move will be for the good of the citizens.

“I would encourage any other leaders who may be differing in terms of opinion to come together and put aside their differences,” said Mr Chebukati.

He spoke after holding a meeting with Nakuru County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha in his office.

TOUR

His Nakuru tour is part of the Chairman’s County Outreach Programme, which was not conducted in 2017 due to the tight schedule of elections.

“When we got into office last year we found 17 regions that were managing the activities of the IEBC and we set up 47 county offices. This is the time we have to see how the county offices are managing the affairs of the commission,” he said.

On the issue of boundaries review, Mr Chebukati said any changes that may occur will happen after the census scheduled for 2019 August.

The Constitution gives IEBC power and mandate to review boundaries limited to constituencies and wards. County boundaries are the mandate of another department, the chairman added.

“We shall look at the figures after the census but for now, we shall work with the existing 290 constituencies,” Mr Chebukati said.