Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria has been fined Sh2.5 million by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, IEBC, Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee after it found him culpable of breaching the electoral code through statements implying financial inducement to voters and misleading the public on electoral requirements.

The committee directed that the amount be paid within 48 hours, warning that failure to comply with its orders could result in Gikaria being barred from participating in any further electoral activities supervised by the IEBC.

In its ruling, the committee, chaired by Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana, concluded that the legislator’s remarks violated provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct designed to promote free, fair and credible elections.

The committee further ordered Gikaria to issue a public apology at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi, the headquarters of the electoral commission.

Beyond the financial penalty, the committee issued the MP with a severe formal warning, signalling the seriousness with which it viewed the violations.

“The respondent is hereby fined Sh2.5 million payable within 48 hours,” the committee ruled.

It added: “The respondent shall issue a public apology at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Anniversary Towers, Nairobi.”

The enforcement committee also directed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, ODPP, to investigate the offences it established during the proceedings and, where appropriate, institute criminal prosecution in accordance with the law.

“The matter is hereby referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law,” the committee said.

The referral means Gikaria could face further legal scrutiny beyond the administrative sanctions imposed by the electoral commission if investigators establish grounds for criminal charges.

The IEBC warned that compliance with its directives is mandatory, stressing that failure to obey the orders would attract further sanctions.

According to the ruling, if Gikaria fails to pay the fine or comply with the committee’s directives, he will be prohibited from participating in any subsequent electoral activity conducted under the supervision of the commission.

The decision comes as the IEBC intensifies enforcement of the Electoral Code of Conduct amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The code prohibits candidates and political actors from engaging in conduct that compromises the integrity of the electoral process, including bribery, voter inducement, intimidation and the dissemination of false or misleading information relating to elections.

The commission has repeatedly maintained that strict enforcement of the code is intended to ensure a level playing field for all political contestants while safeguarding public confidence in the electoral process.

The ruling against Gikaria is among the latest enforcement actions taken by the IEBC as it seeks to deter conduct that could undermine transparent and credible elections.

Attention will also shift to the ODPP, which has been tasked with reviewing the committee’s findings and determining whether criminal proceedings should be initiated over the offences identified during the electoral code enforcement proceedings.

The outcome of the investigations, alongside Gikaria’s compliance with the IEBC directives, is expected to shape the next phase of the matter as the electoral commission continues to enforce discipline among political actors.

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