Electoral agency sets March 2021 for Matungu by-election

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set March 4, 2021, as the by-election date for Matungu parliamentary seat and five wards.

Agency chairman Wafula Chebukati, in a Gazette Notice, listed the wards as Huruma in Uasin Gishu, Hell’s Gate and London in Nakuru, Kiamokama Ward in Kisii and Kitise/Kithuku in Makueni.

The Matungu seat fell vacant after the death of Justus Murunga.

Murunga, who was elected on the Amani National Congress ticket in 2017 collapsed at his rural home and passed on at the nearby St Mary’s Hospital in Mumias town.

He was said to have been suffering from diabetes and blood pressure at the time of his death.

The Huruma ward seat on the other hand fell vacant after its occupant; Peter Chomba collapsed and died at his home in Eldoret, also after suffering breathing complications.

His family later confirmed that he died of Covid-19 and his funeral service, on October 21 was held in strict compliance with Ministry of Health protocols.

Vacuum in London Ward seat  was occasioned after its holder, Sammy Karanja succumbed to a disorder of the Pancreas.

Minority Leader Peter Palang’a and the deceased’s family were quick to dispel reports that Karanja had died from Covid-19.

His death came nearly two weeks after Hells Gate MCA John Njuguna, who was commonly referred to as Wa Sussy died on November 9.

Announcing his death, Assembly Speaker Joel Kairu confirmed that the MCA lost the battle to the dreaded  Coronavirus. He had been taken to Nakuru Nursing Home after developing complications and was put in the Intensive Care Unit.

The void in  Kiamokama Ward was also as a result of the death of Kennedy Mainya, reportedly from complications relating to Covid-19. 

Mainya died at Narok town en route Nairobi in an ambulance after developing  breathing complications.