This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
On March 9, 2020, Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori passed away after a long illness, prompting the National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to declare the seat vacant.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had initially set the by-election for June 25, but the exercise was postponed indefinitely in April 2020 due to the novel coronavirus.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced last Thursday that all by-elections remained suspended until Covid-19 is contained, leaving Msambweni constituents without representation in the National Assembly for months.
Aspirants who had lined up to contest the seat have been forced to put their plans on hold due to uncertainty over the by-election date.
ODM chairman John Mbadi revealed during Dori's burial that some people had started lobbying for the party ticket hours after his death.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati stated that the commission resolved to postpone the by-election following the presidential directive issued on March 15 and 25, aimed at containing the spread of the virus.
“The President, among other pronouncements, spelled out a raft of measures that included... suspension of social gatherings, maintaining social distance and a nationwide 7pm to 5am curfew,” Chebukati noted.
Aspirants have vowed to soldier on with the vote hunt albeit low key owing to the Covid-19 preventive measures.
Former Bongwe/Gombato MCA Omar Boga, who is vying for the ODM ticket, has pledged to promote cohesion and integrity, education, women and youth empowerment, tourism, fishing, farming, and agribusiness.
Mr. Boga has resorted to reaching out to constituents on social media after the ban on gatherings.
“We are campaigning on Whatsap and Facebook and those with resources have been distributing food and non-food items to the residents. The challenge is that many people are hungry because of the restrictions put in place to contain coronavirus,” Boga said.
Mr. Sebe, who is running a social media campaign under the banner of 'Team Sebe', has promised to foster cohesion and integration, boost education and technical training through issuing bursaries, and work closely with Kwale County government to help constituents.
“Under my leadership bursary awards will be streamlined to ensure every deserving constituent in Msambweni will be awarded irrespective of colour, tribe, political inclination or religious background,” Sebe said.
Msambweni Constituency comprises Gombato Bongwe, Ukunda, Kinondo, and Ramisi wards, with 68,621 registered voters during the 2017 General Election.
