The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has fined Bungoma governor Ken Lusaka and his competitor Wycliffe Wangamati Sh1 million for breaching the Electoral Code of Conduct.
In a verdict read by Commission’s Vice Chairperson Consolata Nathan found both the candidates guilty of fueling chaos that led to the death of a woman in Bungoma town.
“We find both the complainant and the accused culpable and mete out the following penalties; That both the Lusaka and Wangamati pay a fine of Sh1 million to IEBC within 24 hours from the time of the pronouncement of this judgment in default of which they will stand disqualified from the General Election,” she ordered.
IEBC Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee found that both Lusaka and Wangamati had a hand in the violence that erupted pitting the two sides of the political septrum.
They were blamed for not doing enough to contain their charged crowds during the confrontation.
“We find them both culpable and order that Governor Lusaka to pay Sh1 million to the IEBC within 24 hours of the pronouncement of this judgment. In default thereof, he stands disqualified from the August 8 General Election,” the IEBC said in its ruling.
Lusaka and Wangamati were armed Withiel lawyers at the Commission to defend themselves.
Interestingly, it is Lusaka that had filed the complaint against Wangamati to IEBC but ended up nailing himself as well.
In his submissions yesterday, overnor Lusaka blamed Wangamati’s supporters for the death of the woman.
He said he was confronted as he campaigned in Bungoma Town, before he addressed his supporters in rally at Posta Ground
“A group of youth who were supporters of Wangamati came shouting “Jubilee Tawe’ and confronted us. They unleashed bees on my motorcade, but we are lucky it did not bite anyone,” he said.
“It is by the grace of God that I am alive, that I am talking to you today. The supporters stoned two of my cars and we turned in high speed to go back to Posta Grounds.”
But Wangamati said he had video evidence showing the deceased was killed by Lusaka’s deputy’ bodyguard.
Lusaka termed unfortunate the violence that erupted, and vowed to stay out harmsway.
He said he will comply with the ruling.
“We will study the ruling but in the meantime we shall comply. I am not a violent person and I will endeavour to campaign peacefully. I can only ask my competitors to avoid provocation so that we can carry out a peaceful election just like we did in 2013,” he.
