The Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) has slapped Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia with a Ksh1.5 million fine over alleged inflammatory remarks she made during a recent political rally in Nyandarua County.
In addition to the fine, the IEBC's Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee directed the legislator to issue a public apology, warning that failure to comply could result in her being barred from taking part in future elections.
"The committee has established that the respondent has violated paragraph 6A. The complaint has been proved on the balance of probabilities, being the standard applicable to these quasi-judicial proceedings," the committee ruled.
Addressing the media on Friday, July 10, IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said the verdict was reached after considering the submissions by both parties, the relevant legal provisions, and the oral and documentary evidence presented before the committee.
The committee also issued Muhia with a formal warning, directing her to avoid making similar statements in the future, noting that her remarks had the potential to incite violence, intimidation, hatred and hostility among Kenyans.
As part of the ruling, the outspoken MP was ordered to pay the Ksh1.5 million fine to the IEBC within 72 hours of the judgment.
The committee further warned that ignoring its directives would expose her to additional penalties under the Elections Act, including possible disqualification from participating in elections conducted by the commission.
"Failure to comply with the orders issued herein shall attract sanctions as provided for under the Elections Act, including issuing an order barring her from participating in any elections conducted by IEBC," Commissioner Mukhwana stated.
The ruling followed remarks allegedly made by Muhia at a political rally in Nyandarua County, where she called on residents to organise themselves into groups of ten and keep watch over outsiders.
The comments sparked widespread criticism after circulating widely on social media, drawing condemnation from Kenyans and political leaders and prompting the IEBC to summon her last week.
Before appearing before the electoral commission, Muhia had also been summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Ol Kalou to record a statement over allegations of incitement.
During the same briefing, Commissioner Mukhwana announced that Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria had also been summoned over claims that he breached the Electoral Code of Conduct during campaigns for the Ol Kalou by-election.
The summons followed Gikaria's admission that he distributed Ksh1.2 million to members of the public during a political rally in Ol Kalou, saying the money had been allocated to his team for distribution across various wards.
"On Monday, this committee summoned David Gikaria, the MP for Nakuru Town East, to appear to respond to allegations of breach of the Code of Conduct in the ongoing Ol Kalou by-elections," the Commissioner said.
