IIEC raises red flag over Ikolomani poll

The use of public resources by government officials during campaigns in Ikolomani constituency has come under scrutiny from Kenya's electoral body.

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) is pointing a finger at Prime Minister Raila Odinga and ministers from his ODM party of using Sate resources in the campaigns.

The PM is said to have gone to a church function at Shiseso a week ago in convoy of vehicles with GK registration number plates and later campaigned for the party’s candidate Bernard Masaka.

At the church, a confrontation erupted when former MP Dr Boni Khalwale, who is seeking to recapture the seat on New Ford Kenya ticket was blocked from entering the compound by police.

Dr Khalwale had driven to the venue with his supporters protesting that the PM was campaigning for the ODM candidate.

He said it was wrong for Mr Odinga, Local Government minister Musalia Mudavadi and MPs Manyala Keya (Lurambi) Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga) and Justus Kizito (Shinyalu) to have gone to the church in ODM party colours.

Mr Mudavadi, who has pitched camp in Ikolomani to campaign for the party’s candidate, is reported to have shown up at ODM rallies in the constituency accompanied by party officials in government vehicles.

In a terse warning to respective party candidates in Ikolomani, the IIEC says the practice was unacceptable and must stop.

Commissioners Tiyah Galgalo Abdi and Hamara Ibrahim Aden have warned parties, which have sponsored candidates to draw a distinct line between their campaigns and official government functions to avoid abuse of the resources.

“The use of State resources by party leaders and MPs in the campaigns in Ikolomani has come up as a big challenge to the Commission. But there is very little we can do about since there is no legislation in place to enable us act against those violating,” said Commissioner Abdi.

The three candidates contesting the parliamentary seat have signed the electoral code of conduct they must adhere to during the campaign period and could be punished if found in breach of the rules.

The candidates are not allowed to campaign in church functions and funerals. The IIEC banned bullfighting, a popular sport among the Idakho and Isukha communities during the campaign period.

It has served Dr Khalwale with a warning for conducting premature campaigns. Dr Khalwale and the ODM candidate Bernard Shinali have also been warned over their conduct in the campaigns.

The IIEC gave the warning as Mr Odinga and several minister converge at Musoli market in Kakamega South district to commission the Sigalagala-Butere-Sidindi road which runs through Ikolomani constituency Thursday.

Dr Khalwale and the Ford People candidate have complained that ODM was trying to use the commissioning of the road to sway the vote.

At a press briefing in Kakamega, the IIEC Commissioners said Dr Khalwale and Mr Shinali had been warned for failing to comply with the electoral code of conduct.

They said 389 voters who had registered more than once had been detected in the registers and would not be allowed to vote on Monday.

Ikolomani has 35,833 registered voters who will turn up in 65 polling stations to pick their new MP.

Commissioner Aden said a campaign targeting the double registered voters to ensure they did not show up at polling stations to vote was being conducted.

She said a large number of the voters were from the neighbouring constituencies of Lurambi and Shinyalu.

She said the Commission was ready to conduct the by election and had completed training of officials who will manage and supervise the poll.