October 13, 1986: Nairobi’s Mathare Parliamentary seat, held by Mr. Andrew Kimani Ngumba (right), is declared vacant through a writ signed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Fred Mati. According to reliable sources in Parliament, the letter was sent to the Supervisor of Elections, Mr. Zachariah Nyarango, so he could set up official machinery to fill the seat left vacant by the runaway MP. Mr. Ngumba, who has missed eight consecutive sittings, fled the country on August 15. According to the Constitution, a Member of the National Assembly shall vacate his seat If, without having obtained the permission. of the Speaker, he fails to attend the Assembly on eight consecutive days (sittings) on which the Assembly was in session.

Photo|Nation Syndication