Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana has warned Kenyans against accepting money and other inducements from politicians during election campaigns, saying both those offering the cash and those receiving it commit an offence under the law.

Speaking on July 9, 2026, in response to concerns over reports that campaign teams in Ol Kalou Constituency have been distributing cash to supporters alongside merchandise and development promises, Mukhwana said voter bribery is prohibited by the Election Offences Act.

“That MP who brings you Ksh800,000 under the Election Offences Act is breaking the law. And that citizen who is receiving the Ksh200 or Ksh300, whatever amount it is that they are being given, breaks the law,” he said.

Law punishes both parties

Mukhwana noted that while political culture has traditionally focused on punishing those who offer bribes, the law equally applies to voters who accept them.

“The only difference is that the culture here has been that the receiver of the bribe, especially in the political environment, is not regarded as having violated the law, but the giver is the one regarded as having violated the law,” he said.

He urged residents to be fair to themselves by rejecting inducements that compromise their democratic rights.

“We have done massive voter education through social media. We have targeted the young people massively. We have taken time to explain to the young people of this country that you must take the first responsibility in terms of what leadership you want,” Mukhwana said.

Democratic rights

He added that choosing not to participate in elections is not a form of protest but a surrender of citizens’ democratic rights.

“When you refuse to participate in voting, you are not protesting; you are surrendering your right to determine what it is that you want your leadership to look like. And you are allowing the politicians to lock you out of the political environment,” he said.

The commissioner reiterated that both those giving and receiving money during campaigns are liable under the law if found culpable.

“Let the citizens of Ol Kalou know that those who are giving you the money and you who are receiving are equally guilty of the offence under the Election Offences Act if you are found culpable and convicted,” he said.

Mukhwana warned that accepting money or any other form of inducement denies voters the opportunity to elect leaders based on merit and accountability.

“When you allow your civic choice to be subverted by that money, by any other inducement that you receive, you lose the opportunity to shape the kind of leadership you’ll have in your country. It affects directly the kind of leadership you’ll have, whether your CDF will be managed properly, whether you’ll have a correct hospital, whether you will have the lifestyle that you deserve as a citizen of this country,” he said.