Leading contenders in the Kasipul parliamentary by-election, Philip Aroko and Boyd Were appeared before the IEBC for a ruling by the commission’s Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee.
The two signed an agreement committing themselves to strictly adhere to the harmonised campaign schedule.
The deal was reached shortly after the two were fined Sh1 million each, penalties IEBC said were necessitated by deadly clashes that have rocked the constituency and were directly linked to violations of the agreed campaign timetable.
The IEBC’s Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee accused both Aroko, an Independent candidate, and Were, the ODM candidate, of disregarding the campaign schedule mutually agreed upon during a meeting attended by all contestants.
The commission said the failure by the two leading candidates to respect the timetable created opportunities for rival groups to meet at the same venues, sparking confrontations that turned fatal.
The committee placed responsibility squarely on the candidates, arguing that their lack of discipline and failure to guide their supporters heightened tensions instead of promoting peaceful political engagement.
IEBC has condemned the spiralling violence and warned that both candidates and their parties would face disqualification if the clashes persist.
The commission reminded the contenders that adherence to the harmonised schedule is mandatory and that failure to comply undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
With both candidates having now signed the commitment to follow the harmonised campaign programme, the commission hopes tensions will ease and the remainder of the campaign period will proceed peacefully.
However, the IEBC maintained that it will closely monitor compliance and take decisive action against any further violations.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has assured the public that investigations into the violence will be conducted swiftly, promising that perpetrators—regardless of political affiliation—will face the full force of the law.
