Chebukati speaks over Echesa unruly behaviour at polling station
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Wafula Chebukati is demanding the immediate arrest of former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa for allegedly attacking an official of the commission in Matungu constituency during yesterday’s by-election.
Chebukati said the commission would ensure legal action is taken against Echesa.
“We want police to arrest the former Sport CS who was caught on camera assaulting one of our officials in Matungu constituency,” he said.
Echesa had stormed Ebulonga polling station where he accused the official of blocking the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) agents from accessing the polling hall.
The official denied the accusation, saying all political parties were represented in the polling station. After the incident, Echesa went into hiding to avoid arrest.
Police officers camped at his home at Shibale for several hours but were yet to arrest him by the time of going to press.
Despite the incident, Chebukati described yesterday’s by-elections in two constituencies and four wards across the country as peaceful, though with a low voter turnout.
“The exercise is going on smoothly across the country apart from a few hitches that have been handled by our officials,” he said.
Addressing the press in Naivasha after visiting Hellsgate ward where there was a by-election, he expressed concern over low voter turnout.
He was, however, optimistic that the numbers would rise in the course of the day as most of the voters were flower farm workers.
“Currently the voter turn-out in Hellsgate stands at four per cent but we hope this will pick before closure of the polling stations,” he said.
On the violence witnessed in London ward in Nakuru, Chebukati said IEBC and police officers were dealing with the situation. He took issue with what he called “roaming agents”, including MPs and Senators who he said were moving from one polling station to another.
“As per the law, the so-called roamingagents are not recognised anywhere and they should be kept away from polling stations,” he said.
