Homabay IEBC officials fail to turn up after threats

IEBC officials in Kasipul Kabondo constituency, Homabay county failed to turn up to conduct the repeat presidential election after allegedly receiving threats.

The presiding and deputy presiding officers said that their failure to turn up was due to the fact that they were been intimidated and threatened and they felt insecure.

Clement Osiemo, the Kasipul Returning Officer said that most of them have been forced to leave their homes.

“They have said that they have been intimidated and they feel insecure. Most of them have fled their homes,” Osiemo said.

Osiemo’s deputy, Maureen Okoth Ochieng confirmed that some of the officials were threatened via SMS and this could have contributed to their staying away. Some of the threatening messages that some of the officials received were:

“… ata ukirudi kufanya hiyo kazi tutachoma nyumba yako.”

However, Ms Ochieng said that they will still stay at the polling station until the voting period is over as it’s their responsibility.

“I am obliged as an IEBC official to be here until the end. I cannot run away.” Ms. Ochieng said.

The voting process had not yet begun in Migori county past noon as youths had barricaded most of the roads.