The Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned candidates contesting the Kasipul Constituency by-election against violation of electoral code of conduct on the eve of the exercise which will kick off tomorrow.
While assessing the level of preparedness jointly with Interior and National Coordination Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the commission is ready to take serious action on any person who will be caught undermining the process.
“When you are found committing offenses including intimidation, violence and harassment, we will take action including as the law prescribes, fining the candidates and of course disqualifying the candidates if it comes to that,” said Ethekon.
Kasipul Constituency which was left vacant following the assassination of Member of Parliament Ong’ondo Were in April this year has been the centre of violent contests between rival candidates.
Two weeks ago, two main candidates, Boyd Were who is seeking to succeed his father on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket and businessman Philip Aroko running on an independent ticket were summoned by commission and fined after both sided were found to be engaging in electoral violence.
Following investigations by the IEBC Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee, each candidate was fined Ksh 1 million and signed the code to desist from engaging in violence.
“We dealt with the formal complaint from Kasipul about the violence and chaos and we dealt with that very swiftly and within two days we had a verdict and actually we did fine the two main candidates and since then we have also made them commit to a peaceful campaign,” he stated.
According to Ethekon, the committee will stay in place until after the candidates are sworn in to deal with any case of electoral irregularities.
“If the situation is such that there is level of chaos and anarchy and violence, we can call off the election as well. The law is there and it sets the standards that we must conform to for us to ensure free and fair election,” he noted.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government has provided sufficient security in all areas where the by-elections are scheduled across the country to deal with any acts of violence.
Murkomen said the government is aware of the use of goons by various candidates to intimidate voters and undermine the process and is ready to act appropriately.
“There is a rising phenomenon where aspirants are utilizing the services of goons to intimidate their opponents and I must say this; we want to restore the confidence of the people of Kenya in the electoral process by making sure by-elections are peaceful and that they are managed by the National Police Service and not by goons,” he stated.
Murkomen warned that the in the event of the malpractices, the government will ensure planners, financiers and transporters of electoral malpractices are arrested.
“I must warn all those people that are preparing to bring goons to the polling stations and tallying centres that you will face the full force of the law. NPS is prepared to arrest all goons, all criminals and all persons that are intending to disrupt peaceful elections in our country,” said Murkomen.
Following the assessment, IEBC later kicked off distribution of electoral materials including ballot boxes, lights, ballot box seals, polling booths among other items to all the 142 polling stations in Kasipul Constituency.
The by-election has attracted a total of 10 candidates who gave been cleared by IEBC to vie for the sear.
The candidates include Jesse Samson Owen Okello of Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Boyd Were Ongondo Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Jeazmen Linda Ouma, Philip Nashon Aroko and Robert Money Bior who are running on independent tickets.
Others include Isaac Kiche Abok of Kenya Moja Movement (KMM), Robert Ouko Ouma of Labour Party of Kenya (LPK), Collins Okeyo Omondi of Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG), Ishmael Omondi Oyoo of National Liberal Party (NLP) and Sam Rateng Okoth representing United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
