A statement appearing on the poll agency’s Facebook page, says they will gazette a no contest and declare the only candidate a winner.
“We understand Mr Kiarie Kamere of New Democrats Party has just called a press conference to withdraw his bid for Gatundu South Constituency by-election race due for August 7. If that is the case and we get his written confirmation, IEBC will gazette a no contest and declare the only candidate a winner,” read the statement posted on Friday.
Kamere, who was declared third in the March 2013 polls, told a news conference on Friday that he was pulling out because he did not wish to antagonise President Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA party in his home turf.
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In the letter Kamere said: “ Gatundu South is the home of our beloved President Uhuru Kenyatta. I do not wish to be the cause, or be associated with unnecessary tensions in the President’s backyard.”
“It is with this in mind and for respect for our President that I this morning announce my decision to withdraw my candidature from the race for the Gatundu South Parliamentary seat.”
The by-election which was occasioned by the death of former MP Joseph Ngugi Nyumu is slated for Thursday.
Kamere and Kuria are the only candidates cleared by the IEBC to contest the mini-poll.
Gatundu South constituency has a total of 58,800 registered voters, 65 polling centres and 105 polling streams.
The official campaign period began on July 12 and will run up to August 5.