Kibra constituency Seat that was previously held by the late Ken Okoth has been declared vacant by the National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi.
On a Wednesday, August 14, gazette notice as seen by Kenyan Bulletin, Speaker Muturi ordered the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct a by-election to fill the now-vacant seat.
“In pursuance to the provisions of section 16 (3) of the Elections Act, 2011, I command you that, due notice be given, you do cause an election to be held according to the law of a member to serve in the National Assembly for the said constituency,” read the gazette notice.
Okoth died on July 25 after a long battle with colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer. Among other people who have been fronted as potentials to vie for the seat include the late MP’s brother Imram Okoth.
During the two-year period, the former MP was down with cancer, Imram was in charge of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) where he presided overbuilding and refurbishment of a number of schools. Among those who have proposed late MP’s brother to vie for the seat include Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris who asked the Orange Democratic Movement party to nominate him as he is the best bet to succeed the late legislator.
However, the road may not be very smooth for Imram given former Kibra parliamentary aspirant Eliud Owalo announced his exit from the Raila Odinga-led party citing clash of ideologies. He is yet to declare his new political outfit and whether he will vie for the seat again.
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— Robin Njogu (@robinnjogu) August 14, 2019