Nine candidates were cleared by the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) Monday to contest the Sotik and Bomet parliamentary seats.

More are expected to get the nod Tuesday, the official deadline set by the Electoral Commission of Kenya for the September 25 by-election.

Those cleared for Bomet are the widow of former MP Kipkalya Kones, Mrs Beatrice Kones of ODM, Stephen Kosgey (Narc Kenya) and Nick Salat (Kanu).

Others are Joseph Koech (UDM), Lila Siele (ODM-Kenya) and Samuel Maina (UDP).

Candidates cleared for Sotik are Ernet Koskei (Kaddu), Beatrice Chepkemoi (Ford Kenya) and Dr Joyce Laboso (ODM).

A fallout is looming within the ODM ranks in Bomet following last week's nominations, with a section of losers opting out of the party.

A source who spoke to the Nation on condition of anonymity said that at least five of the losers had met over the weekend in a closed-door meeting to back one of them against Dr Joyce Laboso.

Initially, the source said, they were seeking to back the runner-up, Mr Francis Segei, before settling on retired president Arap Moi's aide Alexander Sitienei to run on the United Democratic Party (UDM) ticket.

Brig Sitienei confirmed to the Nation that he had moved and collected from the party headquarters a nomination certificate over the weekend.

He said that he was optimistic of clinching the seat with the support of the losers in the just-concluded ODM nominations.

But some of the leaders who had been cited as having backed him distanced themselves from the position, saying they were still weighing their options.

They said they would work with the person with the best vision for the constituency.

The clearance of the candidates by the ECK is likely to mark the beginning of intensified campaigns by the ODM and PNU as they seek to strengthen their parliamentary supremacy in a region where the Orange party is perceived to have a strong following.