Embattled Independence Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati has once again shelved the elections in several areas including Kakamega and Mombasa, citing harassment and intimidation of the commission staff.
The polls that failed to take place on August 9 as initially planned, due to what the IEBC boss claimed to have been caused by a mix-up in ballot papers, had been set for August 23.
The affected areas and positions are Kakamega County and Mombasa County (Gubernatorial positions), Kitui Rural Constituency, Kacheliba Constituency, Pokot South Constituency and Rongai Constituency (Member of National Assembly), Nyaki West Ward and Kwa Njenga Ward (Member of County Assembly)
“The Commission is concerned that some of its staff who objectively and impartially performed their duties at the National Tallying Centre 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,” he said.
He added: “In view of the prevailing circumstances, the Commission has postponed the by-elections slated for August 23, to a date to be announced through a gazette notice for the above positions.”
