The Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission announced on Friday October 8, 2021 that it is forced to slate the Kiagu ward by-election at a later date awaiting a court decision on a case filed by Milton Mwenda of Moses Kuria’s Chama Cha Kazi and National Empowerment Union party candidate, Nathan Gitonga.

The duo moved to Nairobi’s High Court after the electoral body disqualified them from the mini-polls. In a press release posted on their social media accounts, IEBC through its chair, Wafula Chebukati, stated that its Leadership and Integrity Vetting Committee reached the decision following the duo’s contravention of election laws.

“The disqualification was grounded on finding that the two candidates did not resign from public office within seven (7) days after the declaration of vacancy for Kiagu ward,” the press release read in part.

The aggrieved parties obtained a conservatory order on September 30, 2021 restraining the Chebukati-led commission from printing ballot boxes and taking any further steps with the preparation of the by-election.

IEBC stated that during a October 7, 2021 sitting, the court extended the conservatory orders to October 21, 2021 when the judgement on the duo’s petition will be delivered.

The commission therefore announced that due to the extension, it will not conduct the Kiagu by-election that was scheduled for October 14, 2021.