NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 22- The National Police Service has defended its move to arrest and detain three Officials attached to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
The three were arrested on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday.
They’re employees of Smartmatic International BV, the firm contracted to supply, deliver, install, test, and supervise the commissioning of technology ahead of the August 9 polls.
Why were they arrested?
National Police Service spokesperson Bruno Shioso on Friday said they had electoral stickers that had not been declared according to the law.
Further, Shioso explained that “the stickers were not accompanied by an official IEBC as per the routine procedure.”
Police also raised concerns with the foreigners because the stickers had been carried in the personal luggage of a foreigner.
IEBC had also notified the police service according to Shioso.
“Subsequent investigations have revealed that the stickers are bonafide property of the IEBC and part of the election-related material,” he said.
While Shioso talked of a suspect, the IEBC had earlier said three officials.
They have since been released.
IEBC on Friday night protested the move saying it amounted to intimidation of electoral officials days before the General Election.
IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati said the three were arbitrarily arrested, despite an explanation that they were legally in the country.
“The Commission is concerned about this unjustified intimidation, harassment, and blackmail whatsoever and demands the immediate release of the three employees of Smartmatic International BV,” he said.
Chebukati had warned that their continued arrest could hamper the deployment of technology in the forthcoming General election.
“Technology plays a central role in elections and the Commission wonders what the intention behind the holding of the technical personnel is meant to achieve,” he said.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
