RUNDOWN
• Bungoma senate by-election kickoff.
• The senate position vacancy was announced by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) following Moses Wetangula’s appointment as National Assembly speaker.
It is a new dawn for Bungoma citizens as senate by-election kickoff. The election began early Thursday morning, with polling stations opening at 6 a.m across the county.
The senate position vacancy was announced by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) following Moses Wetangula’s appointment as National Assembly speaker, who had been elected to the senatorial seat in the August polls. Regardless in the morning voters appeared in small numbers at polling stations to cast their votes.
Shortly after casting his vote, Speaker Wetangula, urged area residents to vote, expressing confidence that the turnout would increase throughout the day.
“I have no doubt that the turnout will exceed 50% which is good in a by-election. I encourage voters to turn out and exercise their constitutional right and elect for the person they would want to be their senator,” he said.
The seat has attracted 11 candidates, including Wafula Wamunyinyi of the Azimio la Umoja coalition, former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga running on a UDA ticket, and Wafula Wakoli of Ford Kenya.
Others are Elias Barasa of People’s Empowerment Party, Fredrick Busolo (Vibrant Democracy Party), Aaron Wafula (Republican Liberty Party), Geofrey Barasa (National Ordinary People Empowerment Union) and Robert Sifuna (Roots Party of Kenya). Enock Opara, Julius Masinde and Radon Munoko are contesting under independent tickets.
Meanwhile, the IEBC is holding five other by-elections in Narok, Kitui, Nairobi City, Kakamega, and Siaya County Assemblies for Ololmasani, Kyome/Thaana, Utawala, and Mumias North and South Gem Wards.
By Jane Kibathi.
