The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has today cancelled the Gatundu South mini-poll.
In a statement, the electoral body said since there were no opponents, the by-election set for August 7 2014 had been called off.
The statement read in part: “The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has today resolved that there being no other candidate in the Gatundu South Constituency by-election, except for Mr. Moses Kuria, there will be no by-election on Thursday August 07, 2014.”
Gatundu South constituency returning officer, Kipruto Yegon, was on Monday served with a notice, as per The Election (General) Regulations 2012, Regulation 52, from Joakim Kamere withdrawing his candidature from the by-election.
Kiarie returned to the commission, Form 21 – the certificate of nomination as a candidate – which was issued to him on July 10 2014.
The statement continued: “The Commission was also today served with a letter from the New Democrats Party supporting Kamere’s decision to withdraw his candidature and further stating that the Party will not field any other candidate.”
“In a special meeting held today, the Commission deliberated on the matter, made reference to the relevant provisions of the law and consulted with both internal and external counsel before arriving at this decision,” the statement added.
Controversial Moses Kuria becomes the MP for the constituency, where President Uhuru Kenyatta comes from. This is a first of its kind event to occur under the electoral body within the newly promulgated constitution.