The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has chastised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for committing two errors since the commissioners were sworn in.
In a statement released on Sunday, August 10, the Nairobi senator stated that these actions, especially the schedule established for the upcoming by-elections, violated the Constitution and were disturbing.
This comes just a day after the commission, chaired by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, announced that by-elections will be held on November 27 in all jurisdictions that had not been made public.
The second batch will fill the vacant Senatorial position in Baringo, as well as the Member of Parliament seats in Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja.
Second, Sifuna emphasized the improper replacement of John Mbadi in the National Assembly, in which the commission allegedly violated the law while selecting Mbadi’s successor, Harold Kimuge Kipchumba.
Although the legislation requires that the replacement be the next in line from the same category of nomination, Mbadi, who was nominated under the Workers’ category, was replaced by Kipchumba, who was nominated under the Persons with Disabilities category.
“When selecting Mbadi’s replacement, the commission violated the law by choosing the next individual from the same category in which Mbadi was nominated. Mbadi was nominated in the “workers” category, Sifuna mourned.
Despite widespread criticism, the IEBC has defended its decision, stating that Kipchumba met all of the requirements, noting that Section 37 of the Elections Act and Regulation 56 of the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012 state that when a party list seat becomes vacant, it must be reallocated to the next qualified nominee.
By Kenyans