Wambui, Shebesh get off with warning over IEBC protest

Posted by LORDRICK MAYABI on January 30, 2013

Mary Wambui was nominated by TNA for the Othaya Parliamentary seat. Photo/CFM.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 30- The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has now issued warnings to Othaya parliamentary aspirant Mary Wambui and three politicians who staged a protest at the commission’s offices last Tuesday.

IEBC chairman Issack Hassan said on Wednesday that the commission had decided to warn them over their conduct after they wrote letters regretting their actions.

“They wrote apologies to the commission and we have written formal warnings to them,” Hassan told journalist at the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC).

Wambui was protesting over the omission of her name from the list of nominated candidates by The National Alliance (TNA) party.

She was accompanied by outgoing MPs Rachel Shebesh, Cecily Mbarire and Njoroge Baiya when she stormed the IEBC Anniversary Towers offices.

Hassan had earlier indicated that the commission was contemplating fining or barring the politicians for their unlawful actions.

The group staged a sit-in at the commission for more than three hours demanding to have Wambui’s name included in the final list of aspirants from TNA that was submitted to the commission.

According to Hassan, the group intimidated IEBC staff and acted against expected standards which should be followed when candidates have electoral disputes.

Hassan further warned other politicians that anyone engaging in violence and other unlawful actions will be held accountable using electoral laws.

The IEBC chairman has further warned candidates that they will be held personally responsible for breaches of the electoral code of conduct that they sign.

“The commission is telling candidates that the code they signed binds them individually and will be enforced fully. All candidates must promote tolerance and peaceful campaigns,” Hassan warned.