IEBC Fines David Gikaria Ksh2.5 Million, Orders Public Apology Over Electoral Code Breaches

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has fined Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria Ksh2.5 million after finding him guilty of multiple violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct, escalating the commission’s crackdown on politicians accused of breaching campaign rules.

Delivering the committee’s decision on Tuesday, July 14, IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said the panel reached its verdict after reviewing all the evidence presented during the proceedings.

“The committee has considered all the submissions and authenticated digital evidence, and found that the Honourable David Gikaria is culpable on all three counts,” he said.

The commission ordered Gikaria to immediately stop making statements suggesting voters could receive financial rewards or inducements in exchange for political support.

“Gikaria, is hereby issued a severe formal warning to cease and desist forthwith, and forever, from making statements that imply financial inducement or reward to the electorate,” Mukhwana added.

The committee also warned the MP against making misleading claims about the legal requirements for voting, particularly remarks concerning identification documents.

“The respondent is hereby issued a severe formal warning to cease and desist forthwith from making any further misleading statements regarding the statutory voting requirements which require an ID as part of the requirement,” Mukhwana further said.

Beyond the financial penalty, the IEBC directed Gikaria to publicly retract his remarks and apologise before members of the public at the commission’s headquarters.

“Gikaria shall issue a public retraction and apology on Wednesday, 15th July 2026, at 10 a.m. at Anniversary Towers before the public and to the people of Ol Kalou and the country, undertaking that that was wrong and that it shall not be repeated,” Mukhwana noted.

In a further escalation, the committee resolved to forward the authenticated video and audio evidence to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for investigations into possible offences under the Elections Offences Act.

“That the authenticated video and audio evidence presented before this committee be referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to investigate potential offences under the Elections Offences Act. If established, the said Honorable David Gikaria be prosecuted criminally under the law,” Mukhwana said.

The commission warned that failure to comply with its directives would trigger additional disciplinary measures, including barring the legislator from participating in future electoral activities supervised by the IEBC.

“Failure to comply with these orders will attract further sanctions that will include but will not be limited to barring the Honorable David Gikaria from participating in any further electoral activity conducted and supervised by this commission,” Mukhwana warned.

The ruling comes only days after the electoral commission imposed a Ksh1.5 million fine on Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia over controversial remarks made during a rally in Ol Kalou.

While delivering that decision, Mukhwana said the committee had established that Muhia breached Paragraph 6(a) of the Electoral Code of Conduct after a complaint accused her of making statements inconsistent with peaceful campaigns and responsible political engagement.

The tribunal found that her remarks were capable of inciting violence, hatred, hostility and intimidation, thereby undermining peaceful electoral campaigns.

Muhia was ordered to issue a public apology affirming her commitment to upholding the Constitution and the Electoral Code of Conduct and to appear before the IEBC to sign the apology in person.

The commission also cautioned that repeated violations could have serious consequences for her political future.

“The Committee issues a stern warning to Hon Wanjiku Muhia that failure to comply with the orders issued herein or any subsequent violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct shall attract further sanctions, including, but not limited to, issuing an order barring her from contesting in any further election conducted by the IEBC in accordance with the applicable law,” the ruling read in part.

The twin decisions signal a tougher enforcement approach by the IEBC as it seeks to curb conduct that could undermine peaceful elections, mislead voters or breach Kenya’s electoral laws.

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