NAIROBI, Kenya Jul 11 – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has fined Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia Sh1.5 million and ordered her to issue a public apology within 72 hours over remarks deemed to constitute hate speech and incitement during campaigns for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

📻 Breaking It Down

The decision was delivered by the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee after reviewing statements made by the legislator at a political rally held on June 14, 2026, while campaigning for Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho.

According to the committee, Muhia’s remarks violated the Electoral Code of Conduct by allegedly inciting residents against people considered non-indigenous to the constituency.

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, Committee Chairperson Moses Alutalala Mukhwana said the commission had resolved to impose financial penalties and corrective measures against the lawmaker.

📌 What You Need to Know

“The committee condemns and directs the Honourable Wanjiku Muhia to pay a fine of Kenya Shillings 1.5 million to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission within 72 hours of reading of this judgment,” Mukhwana said.

“The IEBC further directs the Honourable Wanjiku Muhia to tender a public apology in respect of those utterances that appeared to incite residents of Ol Kalou against those who are not original inhabitants of the area.”

The ruling followed a heated disciplinary process that saw Muhia’s legal team walk out of an earlier hearing, arguing that the composition of the committee raised concerns over procedural fairness.

Her lawyers later challenged the commission’s jurisdiction to hear the matter, but the IEBC dismissed the objection and proceeded with the case before reserving its judgment.

Mukhwana warned that failure to comply with the committee’s directives could expose the legislator to tougher sanctions under electoral laws.

“Failure to comply with the orders issued herein or any subsequent violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct shall attract further sanctions as provided for under the Elections Act and the Electoral Code of Conduct, including but not limited to an order barring her from contesting in any further election conducted by the IEBC,” he said.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya