Voting has commenced in Juja and Bonchari constituency for the Member of Parliament by-elections.
This comes after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati said it is ready, as voting materials, returning officers, clerks and Kiems kits are already in place.
“Our staff have been adequately prepared to conduct the by-elections in Juja and Bonchari and that they will be able to deliver free and fair credible elections,” he said.
He also added that they will strictly enforce Covid-19 protocols and that they will prevent those who will not have face masks from voting.
In Juja, there are184 Polling Stations and about 115,000 registered voters, according to the Returning Officer, Justus Mbithi.
The race has attracted 11 candidates who are seeking to replace, Francis Waititu ‘Wakapee’, who succumbed to brain cancer in February.
Among those seeking to succeed ‘Wakapee’ include her widow, Susan Waititu, who has vied on Jubilee Party ticket and Gorge Koimburi (People’s Empowerment Party-affiliated to Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria).
Others are Zulu Thiong’o (Independent), John Njoroge (People’s Party of Kenya), Eunice Wanjiru (The New Democrats), and Independent candidates, Dr Joseph Gichui , Moses Mwenda and Kariuki Chege.
In Bonchari, the seat was left vacant following the death of MP Oroo Oyioka.
At least 52,995 voters are expected to turn up to cast their vote to pick their Member of Parliament.
Security has been intensified in Bonchari with police erecting roadblocks in all roads entering the constituency as voting began Tuesday dawn.
Oyioka’s widow, Teresa Bitutu is among the 13 candidates eyeing the seat.
The battle is anticipated to be a race between Jubilee’s Zebedeo Opore, ODM’s Pavel Oimeke and UDA’s Teresia Bitutu.
Other candidates include former Woman Rep Mary Otara (United Green Party), Jonah Ondieki ( New Democrats) Victor Omanwao (People’s Economic Development (PED), Charles Mogaka- Progressive Party of Kenya (PPK), David Ogega-(Kenya Social Congress), Kevin Mosomi-PDU, and Eric Oigo- National Reconstruction Alliance.