The just-concluded by-elections in several regions across the country were overshadowed by allegations of malpractice, violence and brazen attacks on IEBC officials, offences clearly prohibited under Kenyan election law. In Narok, some electoral officials were assaulted by masked individuals moments after the close of polling.
The attackers are said to have made away with personal belongings, including mobile phones, while also destroying electoral materials.
Who were the assailants armed with clubs and pistols? One of the electoral officials, a victim of the attack, shared his ordeal with Citizen TV’s Ben Kirui.
At the close of polling on Thursday evening, uncertainty swept over the Masai Mara tallying centre in the Narok Ward by-election as the whereabouts of five presiding officers remained unknown. Their disappearance stalled the start of the tallying process, which eventually began and ran late into the night.
Tension escalated as senior electoral officials, among them returning officer Kuria Mbugua, anxiously awaited any word on the missing officers.
Hours later, it emerged that the officials had come under attack, forcing them to flee for their safety after electoral materials were destroyed in the chaos. One of the officers recounted that hooded men stormed the polling station while firing shots in the air.
“Commotions ilianza kuwa mingi gun shots were all over you couldnt even know where to run to,” said the official, whose identity was concealed.
The group accused the officials of interfering with votes cast in favour of their preferred candidate. He said he escaped into a nearby plantation.
“Walinipaga na rungu pande ya mguu wakiniambia lete hiyo machine mbwa wewe… wakachukua materials due to confusion nilijipata nimejificha kwa msitu… kuna wengine walikuwa wanajificha kwa chooo,” said the officer, identity concealed.
In making the decision to proceed with announcing the results, returning officer Kuria Mbugua noted that the destroyed materials could not alter the final outcome, even if all missing votes were awarded to the first runner-up.
Kenyan law explicitly prohibits violence, intimidation, threats or any form of obstruction against IEBC officials. The Elections Act and the Election Offences Act criminalise such conduct, prescribing hefty fines, imprisonment or both upon conviction.
Voters were not spared either. Some found themselves targeted by the attackers, who appeared determined to disrupt the electoral process. In Mbeere North, one such voter, James Muriithi, was assaulted as he attempted to exercise his democratic right.
