The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that the Bungoma Senate by-election will be held on December 8.
“Following declaration of vacancy that occurred in the office of Member of the Senate for Bungoma County confirmed by the respective Speakers of the Senate vide a letter dated the 26th September, 2022, there shall be a by-election for Member of the Senate for Bungoma County on Thursday, 8th December, 2022,” read a gazette notice.
This follows Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula’s quit to contest for the National Assembly Speaker’s position, which he won, hence paving the way for a by-election.
Political parties planning to run in the by-elections have been asked by the commission to submit the names of their candidates by October 13.
According to the poll agency, the candidates will start their campaigns after being nominated by their respective parties and end 48 hours before the by-election day. The campaigns will also run from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Candidates who had been cleared to take part in the August election will also be required to recheck their details with their respective Returning Officer on nomination day.
Incase of any disputes which will arise from the nominations, they will be determined within ten days of their petitioning.
The commission further disclosed that By-elections in Ololmasani in Narok County, Kyome/Thaana in Kitui County, Utawala in Nairobi County, Mumias North in Kakamega County and South Gem in Siaya County will be held on the 8th December, 2022.
Candidates salivating for the Bungoma Senate seat include former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga, Mr. Machacha, a former aide to former minister Fred Gumo; Mr. Martin Ndiwa, governor candidate in August polls, Mr. Bonewayne Nyongesa, and Bishop Kasili.
Also in the race, there is renowned businessman Joseph Lendrix Waswa, Bungoma East Knut secretary-general Aggrey Namisi, Sirisia politician Moses Nandalwe, Bungoma businessman Ken Wafula, Mr. Kasembeli Nasiuma, and Mr. Wetangula’s aide, David Wafula Wakoli.