NAIROBI, Kenya- Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over its handling of alleged electoral offences ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, accusing the commission of avoiding its enforcement responsibilities.
In a statement shared on Thursday, Sifuna said the electoral agency should take action against individuals allegedly engaging in voter bribery and the misuse of state resources during campaigns instead of issuing broad warnings to all political players.
“This is just IEBC running away from responsibility. Everyone can see who is violating the law. The commission should punish those openly bribing voters and using state resources to campaign. Instead it creates a false equivalence and threatens to punish everyone. Very escapist,” Sifuna said.
His remarks follow an IEBC warning to political parties and candidates against violence, voter bribery, intimidation and other violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct as campaigns intensify ahead of the July 16 by-election.
The commission has said it will enforce the law against anyone found culpable of electoral malpractice.
The Ol Kalou by-election has attracted national attention following revelations by opposition leaders of voter inducement and misuse of public resources, claims the government has denied.
Reports of isolated incidents of political violence have also raised concerns about campaign conduct.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has previously warned that political violence, the influence of money and the use of hired gangs threaten the integrity of elections, adding that the commission is committed to enforcing the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Politicians found engaging in electoral misconduct risk sanctions, including disqualification where provided for under the law.
The Ol Kalou by-election has become one of the country’s most closely watched political contests, with the Kenya Kwanza administration rolling out an intensive campaign that combines government project launches with economic empowerment programmes.
Senior government officials, led by former Senior Presidential Adviser Moses Kuria, have overseen the distribution of subsidised LPG cylinders, mattresses, boats, blankets, foodstuffs, shoes and other household items to residents.
The government has also commissioned several development projects in the constituency, maintaining that the initiatives are part of ongoing development programmes rather than campaign activities.
