IEBC suspends Migwani Ward by-election after High Court orders

IEBC suspends Migwani Ward by-election after High Court orders - IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon. (Photo: X/IEBC)

In a public notice on Tuesday, the commission said the orders were issued on October 22, and would remain in force for 30 days as the court considers the case.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has suspended the Migwani Ward by-election in Kitui County following interim orders issued by the High Court pending the hearing of a petition.

In a public notice on Tuesday, the commission said the orders were issued on October 22 and would remain in force for 30 days as the court considers the case. The petition, filed by Francis Musili Kauta against the commission and three other respondents, is scheduled for hearing at the Kitui High Court on November 11, 2026.

“The Court issued the orders for a period of 30 days pending the hearing of the petition,” IEBC said.

The commission similarly urged residents and other stakeholders to take note of the development, adding that further information would be shared through its official channels.

“Further updates will be communicated through the Commission's official channels,” the notice stated.

The suspension puts on hold preparations for the November 17 poll, which was called after the Migwani Ward seat fell vacant in August.

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Harrison Maluki Mawia vacated the position after being appointed Clerk of the Kitui County Assembly. The assembly approved his appointment on August 5, 2026, and he was sworn into office the following day. The Speaker subsequently declared the MCA seat vacant, triggering the process to organise a by-election.

IEBC had cleared six candidates to contest the seat before the court issued its orders. They are Mwangangi Munyoki of the Wiper Patriotic Front, Kimanzi Mwendwa of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Susan Nzoka of the Party of Independent Candidates of Kenya (PICK), Michael Kive of the Peoples Party of Kenya (PPK), Christine Mwende of the National Economic Development Party (NEDP) and Joel Kuri of the Mabadiliko Party of Kenya (MAPK).

The candidates had been preparing to campaign ahead of the scheduled vote, but the court orders have interrupted the electoral process while the petition awaits a hearing.