Use of Public Vehicles in the Conduct of Referendum Campaigns

The following information was part of a paid advertisement published in the Daily Nation and the Standard since the press could not be relied upon to publish the full list. Note that the fact that the politicians are resorting to removing GOK plates and replacing them with civilian plates indicates that the increased scrutiny is having an impact….this is what Kenyans need to learn – being to hold our leaders accountable for their actions and they will respond.

“Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) hereby release the list below that details the particulars of those politicians who have used Government or other publicly owned vehicles to conduct or attend referendum campaigns. As we have stated before, which was affirmed by the Vice President, referendum campaigns ARE NOT official government business hence there is no justification for the use of public resources.

Use of publicly owned vehicles to campaign contravenes Section 15 of the Public Officer Ethics Act of 2003 which requires public officers (including ministers) to take steps to ensure that property that is entrusted to their care is not misused or misappropriated. Any person contravening this provision is personally liable for the loss resulting from the contravention.

The list also includes vehicles which bore civilian registration numbers and had no valid vehicle permits, indicating that they were operating without a road license and/or insurance. We reasonably suspect that such vehicles are government vehicles disguised in civilian number plates to avoid identification. We are in the process of searching for the identification of the vehicles and will forward the list to the police as they will have been in contravention of Section 20 of the Traffic Act Cap 403 of the Laws of Kenya for not carrying and displaying the requisite stickers in the manner prescribed.”

LIST:

1. GK X 783 4WD Land Cruiser, Hon. Joseph Munyao, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, 9/10/2005, Kenhancha Football Pitch and Gusii Stadium Kisii Town

2. GK A 880H, 4WD Mitsubishi, Hon. Amos Kimunya, Minister of Lands and Settlement, 9/10/2005, Kenhancha Football Pitch and Gusii Stadium Kisii Town

3. GK A 928D, 4WD Mitsubishi, Hon. Martha Karua, Minister of Water, 9/10/2005, Gusii Stadium Kisii Town

4. GK A 479K, V/W Passat, Hon. Wilfred Machage, Assistant Minister Office of the President, 9/10/2005, Kenhancha Football Pitch

5. GK A331 H, 4WD Toyota Prado, Hon. Kiraitu Murungi, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, 22/10/2005, Karigiti Footballl Ground (Naivasha)

6. GK A614K 4WD, Land Rover, Hon. Martha Karua, Minister of Water, 22/10/2005, Karigiti Footballl Ground (Naivasha)

7. GK A682 G 4WD, Mitsubishi Pajero, Hon. Simeon Nyachae, Minister of Energy, 8/10/2005, Kehancha Football Pitch

8. GK 537B, 4WD, Toyota Prado, Hon. William Ntimama, Minister for State – Office of the President, 29/10/2005, Gilgil Junction (Nakuru)

Probable GK Vehicles in civilian plates (on account of absence of official stickers)

1. KAM 808Z 4WD, Mitsubishi Pajero, Hon. Ochillo Ayako, Minister for Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services, Vehicle was without any stickers and the registration plates were loosely hung with a piece of wire, 7/10/2005, 8/10/2005, 15/10/2005, 27/10/2005

2. KAS 503D 4WD Toyota Prado, Hon. Andrew Ligale, Assistant Minister for Transport, Only with parliament pass sticker, 8/10/2005, Bungoma Air Strip

3. KAN 938N 4WD Land Cruiser VX, Hon. Kiraitu Murungi, With a ministerial flag and no stickers, 8/10/2005, Maua Stadium

4. KAQ 814R, Toyota Land Cruiser, Hon. Simeon Nyachae, With a ministerial flag and no stickers, 15/10/2005, Ndumberi Stadium

5. KAQ 008W, Lexus Saloon, Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri, Assistant Minister for Energy, no insurance stickers, 16/10/2005, Ihururu Stadium, Muranga town

6. KAQ 997M, 4WD Isuzu Trooper, Hon. Peter Odoyo, Assistant Min. for Regional Development Authorities, Had only back number plate loosely attached and no license stickers, 27/10/2005, Kenyatta Stadium Kitale.