NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 26 – Chirau Ali Mwakwere has suffered a major blow after the Speaker of the National Assembly declared his Matuga seat vacant.
In a special gazette notice issued on Friday, Kenneth Marende issued writs declaring the seat vacant following a court ruling early this month nullifying the election.
“Pursuant to provisions of the National Assembly and Presidential Election Act, I, give notice that the seat in the National Assembly for Matuga Constituency has become vacant,” read the official government notice.
The House Speaker’s announcement means that the seat becomes vacant and that Mr Mwakwere will no longer be allowed to continue performing his duties as Transport Minister.
Mr Marende\’s move now paves way for the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) to plan by-elections. This brings to two the number of by-elections to be held including South Mugirango where the election of former area MP Omingo Magara was also nullified by the court.
The immediate former Transport Minister lost his parliamentary seat after the Mombasa High Court Judge Mohamed Ibrahim ruled in a petition filed by a voter.
Ayub Juma Mwakesi had challenged the Minister’s election in the December 2007 General Election, alleging the entire exercise was marred by irregularities.
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