Issack Malela enters Banisa MP race, ODM candidates steps down
Former Jubilee candidate for Guba Ward Issack Malela Ali has joined the race for Banisa by-election seat a day after former ODM candidate for Banisa constituency Adan Mohamed Abdullahi stepped down from the race.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) bowed out of the repeat election for Barre Maalim, the younger brother of Kullow Maalim Hassan.
Issack Malele will battle Barre Maalim of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Noordin Adan Enow of Jubilee.
The rush to replace the late legislator is gaining momentum with the latest entrant of Mr. Malele in the contest, a former Jubilee candidate for a ward in Banisa. Elders wanted Barre Maalim declared MP unopposed.
“I am announcing my candidature for the Position of Member of Parliament for Banisa constituency,
Mandera County,” Mr. Issack Malele in an official communication to the media on Friday.
The constitution mandates the Speaker to issue writs declaring a vacancy in a constituency within 21 days of the occurrence of a vacancy by giving a notice in writing to IEBC.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula declared Banisa Constituency seat vacant on April 18, following the death of Kullow Hassan.
This now paves way for the electoral commission to conduct the by-election in the electoral area within 90 days of the occurrence of vacancy.
Kullow passed on the 29th of March while receiving treatment days after he was hit by a motorcycle in South C, Nairobi. The bodaboda rider who hit the late MP was arrested three days after the incident.
Kullow Hassan was a member of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) which won a majority of elective seats in Mandera during the last election.
Barre Maalim Hassan, the younger brother of deceased is however vying on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket according to reliable sources. The party is led by President Dr. William Ruto.
The new development sets the stage for an entertaining battle for the seat, as Mandera politicians earlier fronted the younger brother of the late legislator.
Barre was selected as a successor with other contestants like the ODM candidate who stepped down believed to be putting their numbers together behind the scenes.
Issack Malele said he will announce his plans and the raft of programs for the constituency in the coming days.
The constituency had 32,703 registered voters during the 2022 general election.
The late Kullow was first elected into parliament in 2017, and was serving his second term as a legislator.
Banisa was among 7 new constituencies created in North Eastern Kenya in line with the 2012 boundaries review aimed at aligning representation to changes in demographic patterns.
International standards invariably provide for opportunities for adjustments of electoral areas between 8 and 12 years.