IEBC Suspends Elections for Mombasa and Kakamega Governor Seats

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has suspended elections for the Mombasa and Kakamega gubernatorial seats until further notice.

IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati said the move was due to errors discovered on the ballot papers for the two positions, saying that the names and photos of candidates vying for the seats were incorrect.

Elections for members of the National Assembly in Pokot South and Kacheliba constituencies were also suspended due to similar errors.

"Ballot papers for the following elective positions were noted to have errors. Ballot papers for Kakamega county governor positions, Mombasa County have wrong gubernatorial candidate pictures and the details printed on them. Positions for members of the National Assembly in Pokot South and three in Kachiriba also have wrong gubernatorial candidate pictures and the details printed on them," said Chebukati.

"As a result, elections for their respective positions have been suspended to a later date which shall be announced through a gazette notice."

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has since questioned the decision to suspend gubernatorial seat elections in Mombasa and Kakamega Counties, claiming it is a scheme to rig.

“IEBC decision to suspend gubernatorial elections in Kakamega and Mombasa counties is a scheme to rig the elections. I question why they had to stop gubernatorial elections in Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga strongholds & backyards,” Oparanya said via Twitter.

He added: “I am fearing that the move will affect voter turnout in the two counties that Raila was banking on for numbers that will propel him to victory.”