Commission conducts peaceful Nguu/Masumba By-election
 15th Oct 2021

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Prof. Abdi Guliye has lauded the high turnout during the peaceful Nguu/Masumba County Assembly Ward (CAW) by-election, which was conducted on October 14, 2021.

Guliye said the 60.3 per cent turnout was a clear demonstration of the voters embracing democracy, which enables the Commission to conduct a free, fair and credible election. The Nguu/Masumba CAW position was gazette and declared vacant following the death of Harrison Ngui in June 2021.

The Returning Officer for Nguu/Masumba County Assembly Ward (CAW) by-election Moureen Kerebi Oyaro declared Independent Candidate Maneno Timothy Sirei the duly elected Member of County Assembly Ward after garnering 2,902 votes. UDA’s Musau Daniel Masika got 2,219 votes while Wiper Party’s Mwaiwa Eshio Maundu had 1,614 votes.

The by-elections comes just nine month to the 2022 General Election and offered the IEBC a chance to offer the new Commissioners a hands-on experience in conducting managing and of elections activities in Kenya.

“I must laud the commitment and participation of the voters in all the 34 polling stations across the Nguu/Masumba ward, who have been mainly peaceful in electing their leader. The turnout has been impressive and we are happy with it,” Guliye said in Kikumini Secondary School, the official Tallying Centre for the by-election.

Prof Guliye was at hand to guide Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera together with Commissioners Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit and Justus Nyangáya in observing and   monitoring the polling day activities and visited several polling stations across the Nguu/Masumba County Assembly Ward.

A total of 6,783 votes were cast representing 60.33 percent voter turnout. Valid votes were 6,735 while rejected votes were 48.

During their monitoring tour of the election activities, Commissioner Masit urged all Presiding Officers and Deputy Presiding officers to work within the law for IEBC to deliver a free, fair and credible poll.

“The election has been peaceful and it is good to have the voice of the people listened to in electing their leaders,” said Commissioner Masit.

On the other hand, Commissioner Wanderi demanded that all election officials involved in the by-election must respect the law and be impartial to all candidates to enable the Commission meet its mandate in conducting elections.

The Commission, in a bid to enforce Corona safety procedures stationed  ‘COVID CLERKS’ at all entry points to the 34 polling stations with thermo guns to take the body temperature of all persons entering the polling station. Hand washing points were also stationed in the polling stations.

Moreover, all poll officials were handed face masks to protect them as they interact with voters and other stakeholders in the polling and tallying centres.

The remote Nguu/Masumba County Assembly Ward (CAW) has 11,243 registered voters with 34 polling stations within Makueni County.

The Commission would like to thank the voters and stakeholders for their participation and support. Importantly, IEBC recognizes and appreciates all election officials for their dedication, hard work and professionalism throughout the planning and conduct of the by-election in Nguu/Masumba electoral area.