IEBC official Ruth Kulundu addressing the press, June 30, 2017. [Photo/the-star]
Candidates in Siaya county seeking to vie for various elective seats in the August general election have been barred to campaign in the region for the next seven days.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries commission (IEBC), the suspension follows violence that erupted during Raila Odinga’s Rarieda rally on Sunday.
During the rally, supporters of incumbent governor Cornel Rasanga and those of Rarieda MP who is eyeing the Siaya gubernatorial seat as an independent candidate clashed thus leaving scores injured.
Speaking during a meeting with the aspirants, Friday, county returning officer Ruth Kulundu said the candidates will wait until July 7 to resume their campaigns. She warned aspirants who will defy the order will be punished.
The IEBC official further cautioned the directive may be extended after July 7 if candidates and their supporters fail to show tolerance.
“I want to believe that by then, the animosity being witnessed in the county among candidates will have toned down,” she said.
Kulundu called for peace and unity in the region ahead of the August 8 polls and after the elections.
“These acts are a threat of peace. There is the need for peace and unity before, during and after the August 8 election,” she added.