Taita Taveta County Commissioner Kula Hache (R) and Public Service CS Sicily Kariuki. [Photo/ topsy.one]
Aspirants eyeing various elective positions in Taita Taveta County have been warned against conducting night campaigns.
County Commissioner Kula Hache and police commander Fred Ochieng said the law was clear no campaigns should be conducted after 6pm.
They, however, said their offices had received complaints that some aspirants were carrying out door-to-door campaigns at night. The two said anyone found contravening campaign laws would be arrested and prosecuted.
“I have received more than three cases of aspirants being accused of doing campaigns at night. Officers have been deployed on the ground to find out. We will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those found breaking the law,” Hache said on Monday at a meeting in Mwatate.
The meeting attended by security officials, religious leaders, politicians and civil society groups had been convened to discuss ways of curbing lawlessness during campaigns and during and after the election.
Ochieng said all aspirants planning to hold political rallies must notify the police at least three days before holding the event(s).
“It is not that we do not want you to campaign. If you plan to hold a political meeting, tell us three days before. Police will provide security for you,” said Ochieng.
According to the IEBC campaign regulations, political campaigns end at 6pm and any politician found guilty of campaigning beyond that time faces disciplinary action.
No politician in the history of Kenya has ever been prosecuted for contravening this law.
Presidential campaigns have officially kicked off following the clearance of presidential candidates. President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to dissolve Parliament and the Senate setting battle for aspirants contesting for MP, senatorial and women representative positions.