The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) Chair, Elizabeth Kalunda, has called for a review of the Ksh1 million fine imposed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for election offences, saying it's a slap on the wrist.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Thursday, December 11, Kalunda said the current penalty is too low and does not reflect the gravity of the violence and loss of life associated with electoral misconduct.
“From a financial integrity point, there were several election offences related to finances. In terms of the fine currently being charged of Ksh One Million, it is not equivalent to the losses that were there,” Kalunda stated.
She argued that the fine allows financially powerful politicians to pay their way out of accountability without facing meaningful consequences.
“You can imagine paying Ksh One million, and lives have been lost. This allows politicians who have financial muscle to easily pay,” she added.
Kalunda noted that the cost of election offences, particularly incidents that lead to injury or death, cannot be equated to a monetary penalty, as Politicians can easily pay it off.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), a total of three people lost their lives, and several others were injured in violence surrounding the November 27 by-elections. This includes Homa Bay Town MP, Peter Kaluma who was attacked during polls in Kasipul on November 27.
Speaking during her remarks, Kalunda questioned why politicians continue to commercialise democracy, despite the country having a fully funded electoral body mandated to run credible elections.
Kalunda maintained that the legislature needs to revise the legal framework necessary to ensure fair competition and protect voters from violence triggered by political interests.
She added that the IEBC should ensure that Public officers are not taking part in the election; it's something the body needs to be empowered to take action on.
“We saw a lot of government machinery involved in the election, and looking at the current financial status of the country, I think that was a misappropriation and misuse and needs to be checked," she stressed
She appealed to the IEBC to revise the fines and electoral offences ahead of the 2027 elections, saying they should be made more prohibitive and supported by stronger voter education efforts, particularly by candidates.
She also urged the Commission to collaborate with other relevant agencies and called for improved timeliness within the Judiciary, noting that having a special judicial team dedicated to handling election-related offences would send a strong message.
