Basic Education Principal Secretary, Julius Bitok, has announced that all primary schools in Emurua Dikirr Constituency will close on Friday, March 27, to allow the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to conduct its party nominations.
The move comes ahead of the May 14, 2026, by-election set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Bitok said on Saturday that the decision affects primary schools in the constituency that will be used as polling and tallying centres during the party primaries.
“I want to confirm that on the 15th of this month, I received a letter from the UDA party requesting to use primary schools as polling stations for the nominations scheduled for the 27th. We have allowed the party to use the schools as polling centres, and we are working together,” said Bitok.
The PS urged aspirants to ensure that school infrastructure is protected during the grassroots polls.
“We have given firm instructions to the aspirants that we will not entertain any destruction or interference with school property. The UDA nominations must be peaceful and conducted in a way that respects the property of all our schools in Emurua Dikirr constituency,” he said.
Bitok added that aspirants in the constituency have also been briefed on local security arrangements to ensure a smooth exercise.
“We expect nothing short of a peaceful party primary. We are neutral and ready to facilitate any party that wishes to conduct nominations in our schools, as long as the process is peaceful and respects school property. Our duty is to ensure the people of Emurua Dikirr can exercise their democratic right to choose their representative,” he added.
This comes as the Emurua Dikirr Constituency MP Johana Ng'eno perished in a chopper crash on February 28, 2026, alongside five other people.
The National Assembly, meanwhile, formally declared the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary seat vacant following the MP's demise.
In an official notice issued on March 10, 2026, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula confirmed that the vacancy arose as a result of the legislator’s death on February 28, 2026.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Articles 101 (4) (a) and 103 (1) (a) of the Constitution and section 16 (3) of the Elections Act, 2011, it is notified for general information of the public that the seat of the Member of the National Assembly for Emurua Dikirr Constituency… has become vacant as a result of the death of Hon. Joshua Kipyegon Ng’eno,” the notice read.
Ng’eno, who was elected under Article 97 (1) (a) of the Constitution to represent Emurua Dikirr Constituency, served as a member of the National Assembly until his passing.
The declaration of vacancy now sets in motion the constitutional and legal process required to fill the