The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has fined Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia Sh1.5 million and ordered her to issue a public apology after finding that remarks she made during a political rally in Nyandarua County breached the Electoral Code of Conduct.
The Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee ruled that the lawmaker's statements were capable of inciting violence, intimidation, hatred and hostility, prompting the commission to issue a formal warning against repeating similar conduct.
The committee also directed Muhia to pay the Sh1.5 million fine to the IEBC within 72 hours of the judgment and warned that failure to comply with its orders could attract further sanctions under the Elections Act, including being barred from participating in future elections conducted by the commission.
"The committee has established that the respondent has violated paragraph 6A. The complaint has been proved on the balance of probabilities, being the standard applicable to these quasi-judicial proceedings," the committee ruled.
Speaking on Friday, July 10, IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said the committee reached its decision after considering the submissions by the parties, the applicable law, and the oral and documentary evidence presented during the proceedings.
Besides the financial penalty, the committee ordered Muhia to publicly apologise over the remarks, saying political leaders have a duty to avoid statements that could fuel tension during the electoral process.
"Failure to comply with the orders issued herein shall attract sanctions as provided for under the Elections Act, including issuing an order barring her from participating in any elections conducted by IEBC," Commissioner Mukhwana stated.
During the same briefing, Mukhwana announced that Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria had been summoned to appear before the committee over allegations of breaching the Electoral Code of Conduct during campaigns for the ongoing Ol Kalou by-election.
The summons follows Gikaria's public admission that he distributed Sh1.2 million to crowds during a political rally in Ol Kalou, saying his team had been allocated money to share within designated wards in the area.
"On Monday, this committee summoned David Gikaria, the MP for Nakuru Town East, to appear to respond to allegations of breach of the Code of Conduct in the ongoing Ol Kalou by-elections," the Commissioner said.
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