Voting kicks off in Kandara, Garissa Township and Elgeyo Marakwet by-elections

The by-elections are being conducted in Kandara and Garissa Township constituencies to fill the parliamentary seats, a Senate contest in Elgeyo Marakwet county and an MCA position in Shella Ward in Lamu.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) confirmed on Wednesday that all preparations have been finalized as ballot boxes were allotted to every polling station as well as election officials.

The commission also assured that the process will be seamless and in the event of "any delays during the opening of a polling station, the time lost will be recovered before closure."

IEBC announced a vacancy in the seats after members who were serving in the aforesaid seats resigned after being appointed to President William Ruto's cabinet.

Kandara's MP seat was held by Alice Wahome, now Cabinet Secretary for Water and Sanitation. Garissa Township MP Aden Duale was nominated to CS Defence and Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen was posted to the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.

The Elgeyo Marakwet race has attracted 21 candidates among them William Kisang who will be contesting under a UDA ticket, activist Jerotich Seii under a Safina Party ticket, Real Estate Developer Tim Kipchumba (Party of Peace) among others.

In Kandara Chege Njuguna will be flying UDA's flag, Njau Mbuchu (Ford Asili), Kibiru Junior (Usawa Kwa Wote), Samuel Kioi (The National Democrats), Joseph Mbugua (Justice and Freedom), and independent candidates Pius Muiruri, David Kamweti and Erastus Gatehi.

At the same time, UDA’s Mohamed Barrow Dekow will be contesting in Garissa's parliamentary race facing off with Nassir Mohamed Dolal of UDM party, Ibrahim Malow (Narc Kenya), Muhiadin Abdirashid (DAP-K), Abdifaisal Amin (ODM) and Abdikarim Osman (DP).

The voting exercise is set to continue until 5 p.m. when the polling stations will be closed.