OL KALOU, Kenya- Human rights defender Boniface Mwangi has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of setting what he described as a dangerous precedent by allegedly allowing open voter bribery during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election campaigns.
In a statement issued after the close of campaigns on Monday, Mwangi said the electoral agency had failed to act despite widespread allegations of vote buying during the hotly contested race.
“In the Ol Kalou election, IEBC has set a very bad precedent by allowing open voter bribery,” Mwangi said.
He pointed out that President William Ruto had misused public resources to influence the outcome of the by-election.
“Ruto has misused taxpayers’ money to buy an election he is likely to lose. In the unlikely event UDA wins, it’s not an indication of popularity but simple vote buying. Ruto Must Go!” he said.
Mwangi’s remarks add to a growing chorus of criticism from political leaders, civil society organisations and religious groups over the conduct of the Ol Kalou campaigns, which have been overshadowed by allegations of voter bribery, violence, intimidation and misuse of public resources.
The IEBC has previously acknowledged receiving reports of voter bribery, election-related violence, destruction of campaign materials and illegal night campaigns.
Last week, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon warned that the commission could postpone or even cancel the July 16 by-election if continued violations compromised the integrity of the poll.
The commission has also taken enforcement action against some politicians accused of violating the Electoral Code of Conduct, while maintaining that investigations into reported electoral offences are ongoing.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, triggered by the death of former MP David Kiaraho, has become one of Kenya’s most closely watched mini-polls, drawing senior political leaders from both the Kenya Kwanza alliance and the opposition-backed Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Polling is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, following the close of campaigns and the commencement of the mandatory 48-hour campaign silence.