By-elections scheduled for August 23 in eight counties have been postponed by the IEBC, which blames the situation on harassment and intimidation of its staff and members.
The staff is terrified to come to work, according to IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati, because of the profiling and arbitrary arrests they experience after the release of the presidential results on Monday, August 15.
“The Commission is concerned that some of its critical staff who objectively and impartially performed their duties at the National Tallying Centre are being intimidated and harassed through profiling and/or arbitrary arrests. This has instilled fear within the staff, who are now unable to report to the office for duty,” a press release from IEBC.
The following counties’ and constituencies’ by-elections have been suspended
1) 2 – Governor positions – Mombasa and Kakamega Counties.
2) MP Positions
– Kitui County- Kitui Rural Constituency
–West Pokot County- Kacheliba and Pokot South Constituencies
–Nakuru County- Rongai Constituency
3) MCA positions
– Meru County- Nyaki West (North Imenti Constituency)
– Nairobi County- Kwa Njenga (Embakasi South Constituency)
According to IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati, an alternative date for the by-elections will be notified via a gazette notice.