The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has indefinitely postponed by-elections slated for 23rd August in Mombasa and Kakamega.
In a statement on Wednesday, chairman Wafula Chebukati said this is due to the harassment of commission staff at Bomas of Kenya on Monday.
Press Release – Staff Murder, Profiling and Misleading Reports on Presidential Electionhttps://t.co/vEMNIf7iEF#KenyaDecides2022 #GE2022 #KenyanElection2022 pic.twitter.com/ZB5mdo9Al1
— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) August 17, 2022
“This has instilled fear within the staff who are now unable to report to the office for duty. This harassment must stop forthwith,” Chebukati said.
“In view of the prevailing circumstances, the Commission has postponed the by-elections slated for 23rd August 2022, to a date to be announced through a gazette notice,” Chebukati said.
During the announcement of the presidential results, Chebukati and commissioners Abdi Guliye, Boya Molu and CEO Marjan Marjan were physically attacked, assaulted and injured by people who were in the company of certain political leaders.
“We call for the arrest and prosecution of these assailants regardless of their political affiliation,” Chebukati said.
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Other than the Kakamega and Mombasa governor elections, IEBC had also slated elections in four constituencies and two wards on August 23 which all now stand cancelled.
These are Kitui Rural constituency in Kitui County, Kacheliba constituency in West Pokot County, Pokot South constituency in West Pokot county and Rongai constituency in Nakuru county.
Elections for Member of County Assembly in Nyaki West in North Imenti constituency in Meru county and Kwa Njenga in Embakasi South constituency in Nairobi County have now also been postponed.