The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has stated that the elections that were postponed in eight elective areas, including the governorship races in Mombasa and Kakamega, will now take place on August 29.
The Wafula Chebukati-led commission reached this decision after an internal meeting.
The affected candidates have approved the suggested date.
Addressing the candidates on Monday, Chebukati said the commission was fully prepared to hold the elections on Monday after postponing the exercise twice.
Read: ODM Mombasa Gubernatorial Candidate Nassir Moves to Court After IEBC Postponed Elections
“We will hold the elections on Monday unless there are other suggestions from you,” he said.
Also in attendance were the four dissenting Commissioners; Juliana Cherera (Vice Chair), Justus Nyang’aya, Irene Masit, and Francis Wanderi.
Kakamega ANC governor candidate Cleophas Malala said they his team was okay with the date proposed by the commission.
“We however want to know if there will be enough time and money for civic education. Our voters need to be informed of the date and encouraged to turn up for the exercise,” Malala said.
Read Also: Kakamega, Mombasa Gubernatorial Elections Postponed Again
The affected polls included; governorship elections in Mombasa and Kakamega, as well as the elections for members of parliament in the Kitui Rural (Kitui County), Kacheliba (West Pokot County), Pokot South (West Pokot County), and Rongai (Nakuru) constituencies.
Also affected were polls for Member of County Assembly Ward in Nyaki West (North Imenti Constituency -Meru County), Kwa Njenga (Embakasi South Constituency – Nairobi County).
The commission had set the by-elections for August 23 before postponing them indefinitely last week.
In a statement, Chebukati cited harassment and intimidation of its staff.
Read Also: Drama As Khalwale Fails to Endorse Malala for Kakamega Governor
Last week, the IEBC chair said his life and those of Commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu and a section of the commission staff were in danger after they were subjected to harassment by individuals he did not name.
“During the announcement of the presidential results, the chairman Wafula Chebukati, commissioners Prof Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, and CEO Marjan Marjan were physically attacked, assaulted, and injured by persons in the company of certain political leaders. We call for the arrest and prosecution of these assailants regardless of their political affiliation,” Chebukati said.
For this reason, Chebukati said, had led the commission to postpone indefinitely by-elections for the Kakamega and Bungoma governorship as well as in five constituencies.
“In view of the prevailing circumstances, the commission has postponed the by-elections to a date to be announced through a gazette notice,” stated the IEBC boss.
Read Also: Embakasi East Returning Officer Musyoka Killed For Refusing Bribe – Family
He added: “The commission is concerned that some of its critical staff, who objectively and impartially performed their duties, are being intimidated and harassed through profiling and arbitrary arrests. This has instilled fear within the staff, who are now unable to report to the office for duty.”
This was after the then Embakasi East Returning Officer Daniel Musyoka was found dead in Kajiado.
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