NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 18 – The Independent and Electoral Commission (IEBC) is now free to begin preparation for and the conduct of a by-election in Kabuchai Constituency after Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi declared the seat vacant following the death of MP James Mukwe Lusweti.
Muturi issued writs in a Gazette notice of December 18, 2020.
IEBC has until March 4, 2021 to conduct the by-election as provided for in the Constitution.
“In pursuance of the provisions of the Elections Act, I command you that due notice being given, you do cause an election to be held according to law of a member to serve in the National Assembly for the said constituency,” Speaker Muturi stated in the Gazette notice.
Section 16(3) of the Elections Act of 2011, provides that where a vacancy has arisen in the office of an MP, the respective Speaker shall within 21 days after the occurrence of the vacancy, give notice in writing to the electoral commission.
MP Lusweti died on November 14 after a long illness.
The second-term Ford-Kenya party MP had been suffering from arthritis and gout for several years.
Lusweti first became an MP in 2013 after serving three terms as a councilor.
He had also worked at the Postal Corporation of Kenya.
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