IEBC starts probe into CS Charles Keter’s involvement in Kericho campaigns

Nairobi: Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter could be fined Sh1 million if he is found to have violated electoral laws in his involvement in the just concluded Kericho Senatorial by-elections.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Wednesday confirmed it is investigating State officers, among them Keter, for participating in the campaigns despite being barred by the Constitution.

Both Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and Kanu had raised questions over use of public resources to campaign for the ruling Jubilee coalition's candidates in Kericho County and Malindi Constituency.

IEBC told The Standard it is investigating the alleged engrossment of Keter in the campaigns against the Elections Act.

IEBC Corporate and Communications Manager Tabitha Mutemi further said the commission will open probe on any other State officer against whom similar complaints have been raised.

"Once we receive the investigations report from the investigation team, the commission will communicate its decision," said Ms Mutemi.

The commission said it had received complaints over the matter and would act after completing the investigations.

Keter, who served as Kericho Senator before his appointment to the Cabinet, has been conspicuous in the Jubilee campaigns in Kericho, attracting the ire of Kanu leaders in the campaigns.

Kanu's Paul Sang accused the Jubilee coalition of using State resources and officers in the campaigns, and called for actions against CS Keter.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, whose Mashinani Development Party of Kenya backed Kanu's Paul Sang, also alleged that servants from the region were being intimidated into campaigning for the Jubilee candidate.

Elections Act provides that a public officer should not be involved in activities of a political party or candidate.

"A public officer who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both," states the Act.

It also prohibits State officers against use of public resources to initiate new development projects three months before an election.

But Mr Keter has since dismissed his critics saying he attended the coalition's rallies as a member of the party and not as a Cabinet Secretary.

He said his involvement was to provide "direction" to the electorate since he is a resident of the area.

Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u said it is a contravention of the Constitution for any public officer to engage in election campaigns.

Ms Ndung’u, however, said that it is within the IEBC's mandate to take action against such officers.