NAIROBI, Kenya— The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is set to deliver its judgment on Friday afternoon in the case against Kipipiri Member of Parliament Wanjiku Muhia, days after unexpectedly postponing the ruling.
The commission’s Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee will deliver the judgment at 3 p.m. at the IEBC boardroom on the sixth floor of Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.
In a media invitation issued on Friday, the electoral body invited journalists to cover the ruling in the matter involving the legislator.
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), through its Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee, invites members of the media to cover the delivery of judgment in the matter involving Wanjiku Muhia, Member of the National Assembly for Kipipiri Constituency.”
Ruling Was Earlier Postponed
The judgment had initially been scheduled for Monday morning but was postponed at the last minute.
At the time, the commission said a new date would be communicated but did not explain the reasons for the delay.
Friday’s ruling is expected to conclude the disciplinary proceedings before the committee and provide clarity on whether Muhia breached the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Allegations Against Muhia
The Kipipiri legislator is accused of violating the Electoral Code of Conduct by allegedly making inflammatory remarks during a political campaign rally in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County.
The allegations arose amid heightened political activity linked to the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
The commission contends that the remarks contravened standards governing conduct during election campaigns.
Lawyers Walked Out of Hearing
The case attracted significant legal and political attention during proceedings held on July 2 after Muhia’s legal team walked out of the hearing.
The lawyers challenged both the composition of the Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee and its jurisdiction to hear the matter.
They argued that the proceedings should instead have been presided over by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon and Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat, maintaining that the committee lacked the legal authority to determine the case.
However, the commission dismissed the preliminary objection, ruling that the committee had been lawfully constituted and was fully empowered to enforce compliance with the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Despite the walkout, the committee proceeded with the hearing in the absence of Muhia and her legal representatives.
Committee Chairperson Alutalala Mukhwana said the law does not require parties to remain present for proceedings to continue, adding that the MP had been duly notified of the hearing but failed to appear.
Key Test for Reconstituted IEBC
On Thursday, while launching the 2022 Pre-Election Dispute Resolution Committee Report, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon warned that the commission could postpone the scheduled July 16 Ol Kalou by-election if reported violations persist.
Ethekon cited escalating political violence, allegations of voter bribery and reports of night campaigns—activities prohibited under the Electoral Code of Conduct—as factors that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
The commission has maintained that strict enforcement of the Electoral Code of Conduct is essential to safeguarding free, fair and peaceful elections as preparations for the 2027 General Election gather momentum.