IEBC to give full ruling on campaign violence

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will on Tuesday deliver a detailed ruling on complaints arising from the Kasipul Constituency by-election.

The Commission on Monday issued interim orders directing candidates to strictly follow an agreed harmonised campaign schedule.

IEBC’s Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee (ECCEC) sat to deliberate on four complaints linked to the upcoming Kasipul by-election.

It cited increasing reports of intimidation and violence across the constituency. The committee emphasised that all contestants must follow a harmonised campaign schedule, which they agreed in the presence of all participants.

Any violation, the IEBC warned, could trigger enforcement powers under paragraph 7 of the Second Schedule of the Elections Act, Cap 7 — a legal tool that allows the commission to impose sanctions, restrict campaign activities, or even recommend disqualification.

The IEBC has insisted its action is not only to ensure fairness but also to guarantee candidates can campaign “without fear and intimidation.”

The full, reasoned decision on the complaints — registered under reference IEBC/ECCEC/BE/04/2025 — will be published on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, putting all eyes on whether there will be real enforcement.

The Kasipul seat has been fraught with tension. Earlier this month, campaign-related violence erupted between supporters of independent candidate Philip Aroko and ODM’s Boyd Were, prompting intensified security presence.

The constituency gained national attention after its previous MP, Charles (Ong’ondo) Were, was assassinated in Nairobi earlier this year — a shocking event that amplified the stakes of the by-election.

The Tuesday ruling is expected as observers want to see if the EECCEC will comment on Democracy for the Citizens  Party(DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua's complaibts.

Mr Gachagua who on Monday camped door to door in Mbeere North, wrote  to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja alleging that his life and campaign in Mbeere North are under threat.

In the letter, Mr Gachagua referred to a viral social media video in which he said a number of individuals made direct threats against him and residents, warning that they would act if he visited the constituency.

Among those named in the letter are Simon Njagi Njiru (alias Gitundu wa Gitundu), Josiah Kariuki Ngari (alias Mtetezi Puff), and Susan Nyaga.

Mr Gachagua called for their immediate arrest and arraignment under Kenya’s penal code, arguing that they are known yet remain free despite the publicised threats.

"I have credible intelligence that these individuals are mobilising to disrupt the electoral process as soon I begin my campaign tour in the constituency from 16 to 24 November," he wrote.

In a sharp rebuttal, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar Hassan dismissed the letter as a “panic-driven” political stunt.

He argued the claims were baseless, describing the allegations as “imaginary” and part of a strategy to generate sympathy.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, whom Mr Gachagua names in his letter, also pushed back.

He stared that the individuals cited were known to him but he cannot “be held personally responsible for their private actions.”

National Police Service (NPS) has warned all political actors, supporters, and agents to “campaign peacefully, responsibly, and in strict adherence to the law.”

The NPS warned that it will not tolerate any form of violence or instigation during this campaign period.