Kasipul parliamentary candidates Philip Aroko and Boyd Were Ong’ondo have each been fined KSh 1 million by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for their role in violence that erupted during campaigns ahead of the constituency’s by-election.
The ruling, issued on Wednesday, November 19, followed a hearing before the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee, which reviewed submissions from both candidates before reaching its decision.
The committee found that Aroko and Ong’ondo had violated multiple provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct, holding them responsible for the disturbances in Kasipul constituency.
IEBC Imposes Million-Shilling Fines on Kasipul Parliamentary Hopefuls for Campaign Violence. Photo: Courtesy.
The breaches were determined after careful consideration of both oral and written submissions, leading the committee to impose the fines on both candidates.
Prior to imposing the fines, the committee emphasized that maintaining order and fairness during campaigns requires strict compliance with established rules and schedules.
It also urged both candidates to adhere closely to the joint campaign timetable that was agreed upon in early October.
The panel then announced the fines, each amounting to Ksh1 million, payable within two days of the ruling.
Moreover, the committee warned that any repeat offences would attract more severe consequences, including potential disqualification from the upcoming by-election.
Aroko and Were were summoned by IEBC following the deaths of two people and injuries to several others after violence erupted at a rally in Central Kasipul.
Each accused the other of orchestrating the attacks.
Tensions flared again on November 12 when DCI officers raided Were’s home to arrest suspects linked to the killings.
The operation left three officers injured after a mob ambushed them, and five suspects escaped. The injured officers were treated at Rachuonyo South Sub-County Hospital.
