A human rights group has petitioned the High Court to have the Registrar of Political Parties deregister parties campaigning before the official dates.
The Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission on January 20 issued a notice that campaigns start on May 29 and end on August 6.
However, the campaigns have been ongoing.
In its court documents, Kituo cha Sheria outlines the number of times Deputy President William Ruto and other political aspirants campaigned before the prescribed time.
Ruto on September 24 last year was reported to have campaigned in Kitui and on December 10 he was in Narok and Turkana.
On March 30, he was in Mwingi, Kathiani, Masii and Kangundo town.
The documents further mention KTN, which carried reports showing presidential aspirant Raila Odinga campaigning in Mombasa on September 18.
On January 30 he was in Nairobi and in March he reportedly campaigned in Nakuru.
Through lawyers John Khaminwa and John Mwariri, Kituo says early campaigns heighten tension which increases the likelihood of violence leading up to the election.
It says early campaigns have adverse effects on economic development attributable to an electioneering frenzy for a long time.
“Reduced economic growth and lack of foreign investments caused by early campaigns increase the inflation rate hence leading to a rise in prices of commodities,” it says.
Kituo says the anxiety created by early campaigns also negatively affects tourism in Kenya which is a major foreign exchange earner thus weakening the Kenyan shilling against foreign currencies.
It has accused the IEBC, the DPP, Registrar of Political Parties, the Attorney General, and the IG of Police who have been listed as respondents in the case of failing to take action against aspirants or political parties campaigning early.
Kituo wants the court to declare that campaigning before the set timelines are illegal.
Also sought is an order directing the DPP to order investigations into illegal campaigns and to prosecute those found culpable.
Kituo wants an order stopping the aspirants and political parties from publishing, distributing and exhibiting fliers, posters, handbills, placards and other campaign material on public and private premises outside the legally prescribed campaign period.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
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