IEBC Officials Quit Hours to Presidential Election

Five Returning Officers from Siaya County are said to have quit with a few hours left to the repeat presidential poll.

Confirming the incident, County Returning Officer Ruth Kulundu conveyed that the five hang their boots following violence witnessed in the region over the last two days.

"As per now, I can say the election will only be conducted in Alego Usonga sub-county where I have not received withdrawal communication from clerks," Kulundu stated.

[caption caption="Siaya County Returning Officer Ruth Kulundu"][/caption]

She added that the officials were forced to resign after their family members were threatened.

"Today, angry residents in Ugenya almost lynched my returning officer before he was rescued by police officers," she decried.

That notwithstanding, Ms Kulundu notified the press that the officials had managed to transport some of the election materials to the constituencies.

"We had to ferry election materials at night as no transporter was willing to offer us their vehicles. We are only waiting to transport the seals," the IEBC official explained.

Ms Kulundu reiterated a statement by IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati that security personnel had been deployed to ascertain security for the election officials.

"There will be three police officers at each polling station and 20 others at the tallying centre," she stated.

Alego Sub-county official, Francis Aola, spoke to Kenyans.co.ke and confirmed that the IEBC officials had since gone into hiding and were yet to resurface.

"We heard that they have gone missing after the violence and we are still waiting for them to appear," he confirmed.

[caption caption="File image of an IEBC official"][/caption]

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, IEBC Communications Manager Andrew Limo confirmed that he had received the information but had not yet confirmed the reports.

The officials reported to have quit are Isaiah Khuyole Nabwayo (Ugenya), Obari Rose (Ugunja), Martin Ngoga Omolo (Gem), Gregory Matekwa John (Bondo) and Rebecca Abwaku (Rarieda).

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