Moses Kuria is new Gatundu South MP
Moses Kuria addresses TNA supporters at Gatundu market on August 1, 2014. PHOTO | RAPHAEL NJOROGE
What you need to know:
- The unprecedented decision was made following the withdrawal of the only challenger, Joachim Kamere, of the New Democrats Party.
- The electoral agency will now concentrate on the Mathare parliamentary by-election to be held on the same day.
The electoral body has called off the Gatundu South by-election, effectively clearing the way for Moses Kuria to become the next MP.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Communications Manager, Tabitha Mutemi, said a Gazette notice declaring the TNA candidate the winner will be issued on Wednesday.
The unprecedented decision was made following the withdrawal of the only challenger, Joachim Kamere, of the New Democrats Party.
The latter returned the Form 21, which is the nomination certificate given to candidates in an election.
IEBC commissioners were held up in a lengthy meeting at their offices in Nairobi yesterday where they analysed laws to support their decision.
The electoral agency, which had prepared extensively for the Thursday by-election, will now concentrate on the Mathare parliamentary by-election to be held on the same day.
According to the IEBC statement, the commission said that there being no other candidate for the Gatundu South Constituency by-election, except for Mr Kuria, there will be no mini-poll on August 7.
On Monday, Mr Kamere served Gatundu South IEBC Returning Officer Kipruto Yegon with a notice, as per the General Election Regulations 2012, withdrawing his candidature.
RETURNED FORM
He also returned Form 21 that he was issued to him on July 10.
The IEBC statement, signed by Ms Mutemi, also indicated that Mr Kamere’s party had served the commission with a letter supporting their candidate’s decision to withdraw from the race.
