DP Ruto: I won’t take part in church harambees until after August polls
Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday said that he will no longer contribute to any funds drive until the August general election is concluded.
Speaking at a church service in Emuhaya, Vihiga County, DP Ruto said that he will not take part in the exercise noting that the law does not allow him to do so during the electioneering period. The DP, however, noted that he will resume contributing to Harambees once the elections are concluded.
"I have heard about your plan to build a church and you all know me as a man who contributes to building churches. Today, however, I will not be contributing to the construction of your church because the election laws do not allow it. But once we are done with the elections, I commit myself that we will come back and ensure the construction of the church is completed," DP Ruto said.
Ruto's move was influenced by the Election Act which prevents anyone aspiring for a political office from taking part in fundraising exercises whether directly or indirectly eight months before the elections.
In line with the law, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) last December barred political aspirates from participating in fundraisers.
IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati revealed that aspirants were not allowed to take part in the fundraisers after December 9, 2021.
Chebukati said that those found conducting Harambees after the said date would be found guilty of committing an electoral offence, therefore, will be barred from vying in the next year's elections.
“A person who directly or indirectly participates in any manner in public fundraising within 8 months preceding a general election or during the election period will be disqualified from contesting in the election held during the election year,” Chebukati said.
He said that the move to ban the fundraisers was a way of curbing aspirants from influencing voters through their contributions. The IEBC chairperson, however, allowed politicians to hold fundraisers for their campaigns.
