NAIROBI, Kenya- Jubilee Party Deputy Leader and presidential aspirant Fred Matiang’i has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of failing to act against alleged voter bribery ahead of next week’s Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying the commission is undermining public confidence in Kenya’s electoral process.
Speaking on Saturday during a campaign stop in Ol Jorok, Nyandarua County, Matiang’i criticised the electoral commission’s response to reports of vote buying and the alleged use of state resources during campaigns.
“The level of confidence in the IEBC is going below average. And then the Chairman goes to a press conference and speaks sheepishly,” Matiang’i said.
“It is as if the commission is subordinate to the Office of the President and the Executive. Now the chairman of IEBC has insubordinated himself to the President and to the government.”
Matiang’i questioned whether Kenyans could have confidence in the commission’s ability to conduct a credible General Election if it failed to enforce election laws during a single parliamentary by-election.
“What confidence can Kenyans have that we are going to have a free and fair election with such an IEBC? They are walking the country to a crisis. If what they are doing in Ol Kalou is what they are going to do during the General Election, God forbid. Surely, IEBC could do as much as a warning letter,” he said.
His remarks come as the Ol Kalou campaign has been dominated by allegations of voter bribery, political violence and misuse of public resources.
In recent weeks, senior government officials have overseen the rollout of several programmes in the constituency, including the distribution of subsidised LPG cylinders, mattresses, day-old chicks, boats, fishing gear, blankets and other items, alongside the launch of development projects.
Government officials have maintained that the initiatives are part of ongoing development programmes and are not linked to the by-election.
Earlier this week, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon warned that the commission could postpone the July 16 by-election if violence, voter bribery and other breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct continue.
He cited reports of violent confrontations, destruction of campaign materials, late-night campaigns, mobilisation of gangs and allegations of voter inducement as issues threatening the integrity of the poll.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of former MP David Kiaraho. The contest has become one of Kenya’s most closely watched political races, with the opposition backing Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru-Ngotho against United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah.