The Nairobi government will surcharge politicians directly if outdoor advertising companies default on payments for their political adverts.
Aspirants putting up unapproved banners and campaign posters in unauthorised places will be arrested and charged.
Politicians already have erected billboards and put up banners and posters, in readiness for the party primaries and the August 8 general election.
“Some of these companies owe us huge sums of money and we are warning aspirants to ensure the billboards they use are paid for because we will be looking for them [aspirants] to charge them if these companies fail to pay,” subcounty administration chief officer John Ntoiti said.
He urged billboard owners to ensure their records are clean as the county will directly surcharge clients for arrears.
“We know the politicians have paid for the billboards but some companies just don’t want to pay us. Their clients will feel the pinch,” Ntoiti said.
Aspirants should also ensure that all banners and posters are approved by the county before they are posted, the administrator said.
All of them must be stamped by the county and posted in designated areas. Those who fail to comply risk a Sh100,000 fine, a six-month jail term or both.
“If you come to us, we will approve the number of posters you should produce and specific places to post them. We already have a team from the Finance department that is stamping the posters,” Ntoiti said.
The city centre is awash with campaign posters. They have been pinned on walls and banners put up on buildings.
The aspirants have also put up big billboards along major roads and in the central business district.
Ntoiti said any campaign material that blocks highways or interferes with other people’s businesses will be destroyed.
If advertising companies fell trees to erect billboards, advertising will be pulled down and they will be fined.
In February, the county warned politicians against putting up unapproved campaign materials.
City Hall also banned politicians from addressing political rallies in their mother tongue.
Ntoiti said county inspectorate officers will arrest violators.
“We are asking these politicians a very simple question. What are you hiding [when speaking in mother tongue] that you don’t want other Kenyans to know?” he said.