Deputy President William Ruto has announced that he has stopped making church harambee contributions until after the elections.
Speaking in Vihiga County on Sunday, the second in command said that this has been necessitated by the requirements of the Elections Act 2011.
The Deputy President said because of this, he will not be making any contributions until after the August 9, 2022 general elections.
"I know you guys when you see me you remember that I am a man who builds churches. Today we will not be contributing to the church building because the elections law does not allow it. But once the exercise is over, I commit myself that we will come back and ensure the completion of the church is done," Ruto said.
DP Ruto has been going around the country fundraising in churches and other groups since 2017, when they were re-elected for the second term.
The Elections Act 2011 prohibits anyone aspiring for political office from participating in a fundraising eight months before the election.
Section 26 of the Act states, " A person who directly or indirectly participates in any manner in any or public fundraising or harambee within eight months preceding a general election or during an election period, in any other case, shall be disqualified from contesting in the election held during that election year or election period."
Last year the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati warned that any aspirant who violates the directive risk being disqualified from vying for any elective post.
He added the prohibition includes participation, either by attendance or contribution.
“Pursuant thereof, aspirants cannot participate in fundraising either by themselves or proxies within eight months to the election,” Chebukati said.
“The import is to curb aspirants from influencing voters by donating funds or money for support.”
