Bungoma by-election will be held on December 8, 2022, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced.
In a gazette notice dated October 4, 2022, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati also said the election for five other areas will take place on the same date.
Bungoma Senate seat was declared vacant when Moses Wetangula tabled his resignation letter to the Commission for the position of the National Assembly Speaker which he secured on September 8.
“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 September 26, 2022, there shall be a by-election for Member of the Senate for Bungoma County on December 8, 2022,” said Chebukati in a notice.
The vacated seat has so far attracted six candidates among them Wetangula’s aide Wafula Wakoli.
Other candidates are former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga, Jacob Machacha Majembe, who is a former aide of former minister Fred Gumo, Agfrey Mutuma Namisi and Bishop Harman Kasili, the chairperson of the Lake Region Economic Bloc private sector organisations.
According to IEBC, public officers who wish to contest for the seat must resign within seven days of the declaration of the vacancy by the Speaker.
IEBC will also be conducting the exercise in five other regions where aspirants who had been cleared died before August 9 General Election.
These regions are South Gem Ward in Siaya County, Kyome/Thaana in Kitui County, Oloimasani Ward in Narok County, Utawala Ward in Nairobi County and Mumias North in Kakamega County.
Political parties which will take part in mini-poll have been asked to submit names of the persons contesting, together will party primaries before Thursday, October, 13.