March, 3rd 2021 – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set the by-election date for the Garissa,Juja, and Bonchari as the 18th of May.
In a Gazette notice on Wednesday, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said that each party intending to participate in the by-elections will have to submit the names of the aspirants contesting in the party primary and issue the dates for the primary on or before March 8.
Chebukati said, “Following declaration of vacancies that occurred in the office of Member of the Senate for Garissa County, Member of the National Assembly for Bonchari Constituency, Member of the National Assembly for Juja Constituency and Member of Rurii Ward in Nyandarua County Assembly all confirmed by the respective Speakers of the Senate, National Assembly and Nyandarua County Assembly vide letters dated 18th February, 2021, 24th February, 2021 and 20th January, 2021, respectively, there shall be by-elections for Member of the Senate for Garissa County, Member of the National Assembly for Bonchari Constituency, Member of the National Assembly for Juja Constituency and Member of Rurii Ward for Nyandarua County Assembly on Tuesday, 18th May, 2021.”
Political parties have until the 22nd of March to submit the names of the candidates for by-elections in the areas to the commission.
Garissa’s by-election comes following the demise of Senator Yusuf Haji on the 15th of February after a long illness.
Bonchari constituency lost their MP John Oroo Oyioka, on February 15 following a long illness and Juja following the death of MP Francis waititu also know as ‘wakapay’.