IEBC to bar State officers using public resources for campaigns

By Robert Kiplagat

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned that State officers who use public resources for campaigns will be barred from vying.

IEBC Commissioner Mr. Abdul Sharawe said legal action would be taken against politicians using state resources in their campaigns ahead of the next general elections.

"Use of public resources for personal campaigns at all levels from the presidency to the ward representative goes against the political parties Act," he said.

He said offenders can be fined Sh10 million or serve a six months jail term, or both.

The commissioner was speaking in Baringo County in a forum on sensitization on compliance with Political Parties Act.

The Commissioner cited illiteracy as the major obstacle facing IEBC ahead of the next general election but added that they will carry out civic education for voters.

He advised Kenyans registered into political parties without their consent to move to court and sue the given party.

"Any party found to have used dubious means to recruit members to comply is committing a serious offense and might be de-registered by the registrar of political parties," he said.

According to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) officer IEBC Mr. Josephat Nyongesa, one can verify his registration details at the party offices or alternatively access the information through the phone.

He said the IEBC is ready to conduct free and fair elections by weeding out bribery, violence and other forms of influence of voting patterns by dealing with then as election offenses.