The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has imposed hefty Sh1 million fines on Kasipul by-election candidates Philip Aroko and Boyd Were after violent clashes broke out during their recent campaign activities, a disturbance the electoral body says was triggered by the candidates’ disregard for the harmonised campaign schedule.
According to the Commission, both aspirants violated the timetable that had been agreed upon by all candidates, leading to confrontations when their teams crossed paths during parallel campaign events. The chaos, which unfolded as supporters engaged in running battles, forced IEBC to launch a probe through its Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee.
Following the inquiry, the Committee ruled that both Aroko and Were bore direct responsibility for the disturbances and had therefore breached multiple provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct. In a stern directive that underscores the Commission’s intolerance for campaign disorder, the two were ordered to pay the Sh1 million fines within 48 hours—or face immediate disqualification from the Kasipul by-election.
IEBC further reminded all aspirants that adherence to the harmonised campaign calendar is not negotiable, especially in a race that has already shown signs of heightened tension. The Commission said the fines serve as a deterrent to prevent a repeat of the disruptions witnessed and to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process as the by-election approaches.
Both candidates have been put on notice: failure to comply will cost them their place on the ballot.
