The Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission has postponed the Kakamega, Mombasa Gubernatorial elections citing harassment of its staff.
The commission’s chair Wafula Chebukati had initially set August 23, as the election day for the regions but he now says they will issue a new date through a gazette notice.
Chebukati in a statement to the media disclosed that during the announcement of the presidential results, Abdi Guliye, Boya Molu, and CEO Marjan Marjan were physically attacked, assaulted, and injured.
“During the announcement of the presidential results, the Chairman Wafula Chebukati, Commissioners Prof. Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, and CS/CEO Marjan H. Marjan were physically attacked, assaulted, and injured by persons in the company of certain political leaders,” he stated.
“This has instilled fear within the staff who are now unable to report to the office for duty. This harassment must stop forthwith,” Chebukati said.
The commissioners, therefore, are unable to report to the office and perform duties hence push of the elections to a later date.
Apart from the Kakamega and Mombasa governor elections, the electoral body has also canceled elections in four constituencies and two wards on August 23.
The areas include; Member of the National Assembly in Kitui Rural Constituency (Kitui County), Kacheliba Constituency (West Pokot County), Pokot South Constituency (West Pokot County) and Rongai Constituency (Nakuru County).
Member of County Assembly Ward Nyaki West (North Imenti Constituency – Meru County), and Kwa Njenga (Embakasi South Constituency, Nairobi County).