A PNU candidate has been cleared to vie for the Sotik parliamentary seat in the September 25 by-elections.

Ms Eunice Chebet Kipngény is the only candidate that has expressed interest to be the PNU torch-bearer in an area perceived to be an ODM stronghold.

"I ám confident I will win. Sotik is no longer an ODM zone as it had been perceived. Many residents are unhappy with exclusion of local community in the Grand Coalition Cabinet, plans to evict squatters from Mau Forest Complex and the continued holding of youths involved in post-election violence in custody," she said at Nation Centre, Nairobi.

If elected, Ms Chebet said, she would ensure roads and schools in the constituency were improved, health facilities improved, maternity hospitals built and the Constituency Development Fund properly managed.

The 26-year old Chebet studied at the local Chesilyot primary before proceeding to Nakuru's St Columbus High. She later took a secretarial course at Graffins College. She holds a diploma in Computer Science from the University of Nairobi .

Ms Chebet worked at a Nairobi law firm before serving as administrator at Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo's Kaddu party.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Assistant minister for Home Affairs Lorna Laboso in a plane crash in June.

Roads minister Kipkalya Kones also perished in the crash. He represented Bomet constituency, which also holds its by-election on the same day. Both Legislators belonged to ODM.

ODM holds its nominations in both constituencies today.