The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced Thursday, December 8, 2022, as the day it will conduct by-elections in Bungoma County and 10 other areas.

In a gazette notice dated, Thursday, October 6, 2022, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati announced requirements for candidates who wish to occupy the position previously occupied by National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

“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,” the statement reads in parts

Political parties that wish to participate are required to submit the names of their candidates interested in the position.

They are also required to conduct their primaries on or before Wednesday, October 19, 2022.

Additionally, parties that wish to present candidates through direct nominations will have to submit the list of nominated candidates to the commission on or before Monday, October 24, 2022.

“The Commission shall publish, in the Gazette, the names of the persons contesting in a party primary and the date of the party primary within seven (7) days of receipt of the names of the candidates,” the gazette notice reads in parts.

Similarly, candidates who wish to contest the seat on an independent ticket are required to submit their names and symbols that they intend to use during the by-election.

They have also been urged to ensure that they are not affiliated with any political party at least three months before the date of the by-election.

By-Election for Ololmasani, Kyome/Thaana, Utawala, Mumias North and South Gem Wards in Narok, Kitui, Nairobi City, Kakamega and Siaya County Assemblies, respectively, scheduled for 8th December 2022https://t.co/IXLwvXFgKl#18thDecemberByelections pic.twitter.com/NBxEvl3hqg

— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) October 6, 2022

“Candidates intending to participate in the by-elections as independent candidates shall not have been members of any political party at least three (3) months immediately before the date of the by-election,” the gazette added.

Public officers who wish to contest the seat are required to resign within seven days of the declaration of the vacancy by the speaker.

Campaigns for candidates seeking the position will commence on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, and end on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

The campaigns will run from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm.

Other areas set to conduct by-election

The commission further announced ten other areas set to conduct by-elections for the Member of the County Assembly (MCA) positions following various reasons.

The areas are Ololmasani, Kyome/Thaana, Utawala, Mumias North and South Gem wards in Narok, Kitui, Nairobi city, Kakamega, and Siaya County Assemblies.

“Political parties whose candidates passed on, are required to submit the details of their candidates for the by-election to the commission on or before Monday, 24th October 2022,” the gazette notice reads in parts.

The commission announced that the nomination for the parties whose candidates had passed away will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

“The nomination papers shall be delivered by candidates to the respective Returning officers between the hours of eight o’clock in the morning and one o’clock in the afternoon and between the hours of two o’clock in the afternoon and four o’clock in the afternoon at the places designated by the commission.” the Gazette notice reads in parts.

Candidates who qualify for the nomination process will be allowed to campaign on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

The campaigns set to run from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm will end on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.