Wafula Chebukati, head of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has called for a meeting on Monday, August 22 with all candidates affected by the suspension of gubernatorial and parliamentary elections.
According to media sources, the conference would attempt to resolve difficulties with the postponement of the by-elections.
The by-elections in Kakamega, Mombasa, Kitui, Kacheliba, Pokot South, and Rongai in Nakuru were scheduled for Tuesday, August 23, but were postponed indefinitely.
Several candidates scorned the IEBC over the decision, with some preferring to seek legal recourse.
Others, on the other hand, confirmed their attendance, stating that they would hold the electoral commission accountable for the by-election disaster.
Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir of the Orange Democratic Movement stated that the elections should be held on the original August 23 date without any delay.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission had petitioned the court, claiming that the electoral board lacked the authority to postpone elections without informing the judicial system.
The human rights body claimed that Chebukati’s justifications were insufficient to justify such an action, effectively denying inhabitants of the affected counties the right to exercise their rights.
Chebukati postponed gubernatorial by-elections in Kakamega and Mombasa, as well as parliamentary elections in Kitui, Kacheliba, Pokot South, and Rongai in Nakuru on August 8, 2022. This was caused by an error in the printing of ballot sheets.
