Police warn against early campaigns in Homa Bay

Homa Bay senatorial aspirants have been warned against premature campaigns as the elections body prepares to declare the official campaign date.

Homa Bay County Administration Police Commander Jebel Munene said stern measures will be taken against aspirants seen holding rallies before the official date.

Speaking to The Standard, Mr Munene said they had received information that some of the candidates were secretly holding rallies.

He added that his officers had launched investigations to determine the truth behind the information, adding that punitive measures will be taken against those found guilty.

"The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has told the candidates when the campaigns should kick off. Whoever is holding rallies at this moment should know that they are doing so illegally. The law will take its course against them," Munene said.

According to Homa Bay County Senatorial by-election Returning Officer Maurice Raria, the campaigns are to officially kick off after January 18.

Raria said clearance of the candidates will be carried out on January 15 and 16, at which point the IEBC will recognise them officially.

"We are going to hold a meeting this Sunday with all candidates so that we can harmonise their campaign timetables to avoid any clash because we do not want violence during this period," Mr Raria said.

He told the locals to maintain peace to enable them have a conducive environment for electing their second senator.

The race to replace the late Senator Otieno Kajwang' has attracted the interest of ten aspirants.

The aspirants include Philip Okundi (Maendeleo Democratic Party), Hillary Alila (Independent), Moses Kajwang' (ODM), Fred Rabong'o (National Agenda Party), Silus Jakakimba (UDM), Aduke Ratimo (Labour Party of Kenya), Dennis Onyango (Federal Party of Kenya), Innocent Masara (Independent), Edwin Matete (Independent) and  Medo Misama (Independent).