A section of Kiambu town residents has backed the campaign spending limits guidelines  proposed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) saying that it will curb politicians from ‘buying’ votes ahead of the 2017 elections.

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According to the locals the spending limits will further prevent politicians from seeking elective seats to enrich themselves.

Speaking to HiviSaSa.com on Wednesday in Kiambu, the locals said that the spending limits should be increased.

“We ate happy that IEBC has seen the need to monitor and limit the amount of money spent by politicians during the electioneering period,” said Jeff Kirui, a resident.

Kariuki noted that politicians dish out huge sums of money to voters and cannot reveal or explain the source of their incomes.

Doreen Kinyua, a student leader at a local university in Limuru lauded the IEBC move saying that it will curb voter bribery.

“Some of these politicians loot public money to use in campaigns and I think the proposal to limit campaign usage will help curb this practice,” she said.

However, there are locals who think that the move by IEBC is meant to lock out aspirants from poor backgrounds.

Joy Mburu, a student in Limuru notes that young people might not afford to take part in elections basing on the campaign spending limits.

She observes that politics and election has been reserved for the rich.

“The IEBC should review the spending so that everyone can be accommodated,” she said.

Last week the IEBC proposed campaign spending limits which it said aims at providing an equal playing ground for aspirants seeking elective seats in the forthcoming polls.

The electoral body proposed that aspirants seeking the presidential seat will not be allowed to use more than Sh5.2 Billion.

Aspirants seeking the governor, senator and women representative seat will not be allowed to use more than 432 Million.

Those seeking Parliamentary seats have been limited not to more than Sh32 Million while those seeking to be Members of County Assembly (MCAs) will not use more than Sh10 Million.

The proposed guidelines by IEBC have been criticized and supported in equal measure by politicians across the political divide.