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IEBC: Goons will cost you the ballot
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between IEBC and the Kenya Media Sector Working Group on March 27, 2026 at Pullman Hotel.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned that candidates found sponsoring or facilitating political violence ahead of the 2027 General Election risk fines, disqualification from the ballot and in extreme cases, cancellation of elections in affected areas.
In an exclusive interview with the Nation, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the commission would strictly enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct to safeguard the integrity of the polls.
“We cannot allow one person to mess up an election funded by taxpayers just so they can get a job as an MP. As a commission, we have the power to sanction, fine or even disqualify candidates found to have breached the law,” Mr Ethekon said.
He said the commission would not tolerate political goonism regardless of the political affiliation of those involved and would act where sufficient evidence is presented.
“If we have evidence that someone is harbouring gangs, paying them or facilitating them in any way, then such a person is undermining peaceful elections and we will fine or even disqualify them,” he said.
Mr Ethekon said the commission would also not hesitate to cancel elections in areas where insecurity makes it impossible to conduct a free, fair and credible poll.
The IEBC chairperson urged members of the public to document incidents of political violence and other electoral offences and submit the evidence to the commission's Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee.
“I urge the public not just to accuse the commission of being toothless. Record these acts of goonism and electoral malpractice and file complaints with us. It is on the basis of such evidence that we will be able to take action," he said.
He said delivering a credible election requires the participation of all stakeholders.
His remarks come amid growing concern over incidents of political violence, including the recent attack on the Linda Mwananchi brigade in Kisii County, as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
The issue is also expected to feature prominently when Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen appears before the National Assembly later this month.
Speaking during a closed-door meeting with MPs in February, Mr Murkomen alleged that some politicians were financing criminal gangs ahead of the elections.
“This issue of criminal gangs has become difficult for police because those behind them sit in this House, occupy senior public offices and hold influential positions in political parties. Whenever they are arrested, political leaders intimidate police officers handling the cases,” he said.
Separately, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has warned that political goons and criminal gangs will face a tough crackdown ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying the National Police Service will not allow violence to disrupt campaigns or undermine public security.
Speaking during the opening of the Sotik sub-County Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Bomet County, Mr Kanja said individuals involved in political thuggery, organised crime and other offences would be pursued and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“I am sounding a warning to goons and gangs across the country that they will be dealt with in accordance with the law and will have no space to operate,” Mr Kanja said.
He added that criminal responsibility is individual and warned those engaging in political violence that they would personally face the consequences of their actions.
The Inspector-General said 10,000 police officers recruited in March last year are currently undergoing training at the Kiganjo Police Training College and will be deployed to strengthen crime prevention once they graduate.
Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin said the DCI would investigate cases of political violence and other crimes impartially.
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