Nairobians should prepare to go back to the ballot on February 18, 2021 to elect a new governor in a by-election after Mike Sonko’s ouster was approved by the Senate last week. 

The date was announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) following gazettement by IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati on Tuesday.

In the gazette notice, Chebukati directed political parties seeking to take part in the mini poll to submit names of persons vying in party primaries and nomination dates on or before December 28.

IEBC also announced that the official campaign period will run from January 18 to February 15, with public officials intending to vie in the mini poll given only seven days to resign from office.

The gazette notice dated December 21, 2020 read:

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“Following the declaration of vacancy that occurred in the office of the county governor Nairobi City County, following the impeachment and subsequently the swearing in of the Speaker of the County Assembly of Nairobi as the acting County Governor on December 21, 2020 there shall be a by-election for the County Governor of Nairobi County on Thursday, February 18, 2021.”

Political parties that plan to field candidates in the by-election have been given up to January 11 to submit their nominees list after settling all internal party rows arising from the primaries. 

Those who will opt for the direct nomination route have been given the same deadline.

Those seeking independent runs will be locked out of the Nairobi County race if they were members of any political party three months before the by-election date.

Independent candidates have been given until December 28 to submit names and symbols that they plan to use in the gubernatorial poll.

“The commission shall publish in the gazette, the names and the symbols of persons intending to contest in the election as independent candidates at least 14 days before the nomination day,” Chebukati said. 

All aspirants are expected present their nomination papers to their respective returning officers on January 18 and 19 at the place designated by the electoral commission. 

“Disputes relating to or arising from nomination shall be determined within 10 days of the lodging of the dispute with the Commission and in any event not later than January 28, 2021.” 

All parties taking part in the mini-poll are required to appoint and submit names of their county and constituency poll agents to IEBC on or before February 4.