IEBC probes Jubilee senator, CORD MP for poll offences

A Jubilee senator and an opposition member of National Assembly are being investigated by the polls agency over electoral offenses.

In a report by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) tabled in the House yesterday, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko and Mathare MP Stephen Kariuki are listed as "under investigation" for separate electoral malpractices committed in two by-elections in the last financial year.

The senator is being probed for his role in the Kajiado Central Constituency by-election where he is accused of breaching the Public Officers Ethics Act which demands political neutrality for political officers. The mini-poll happened on March 16, this year.

Mr Kariuki is accused of, "misuse of the President's and Deputy President's photograph for political propaganda" in the Mathare Constituency by-election where he was elected. Kariuki was an opposition candidate. The mini-poll took place on August 11, last year.

As the report of the pending investigations on the two lawmakers lingers, IEBC has also asked Kenyans who are 18 years old and above to visit any Huduma Centre to register to vote in the 2017 General Election.

"Registration of eligible Kenyan voters at Huduma Centres need not be specific to a constituency, but be opened to all Kenyans who present themselves for registration," said IEBC in its annual report for the 2014/2015 financial year tabled in the National Assembly yesterday.