Outrage as Female Election Observer is Slapped During By-election

There has been outrage across social media after a video captured a poll observer identified as Martha Maino being slapped at a Kiamariga Police Station during the Ruguru Ward by-election.

Reports indicate that trouble began when the observer made a voter bribery claim and was attacked shortly after.

In the ensuing fracas, she was accused of having been a political campaigner for one of the candidates before assuming her role as an observer.

As the Mathira Member of Parliament (MP) Rigathi Gachagua was consulting IEBC officials on how a campaigner was given an observer's badge, an unidentified man came forward and slapped Ms Maino.

"Unatusi mheshimiwa? Anatusi mheshimiwa kwa nini (How can she insult the MP? Why is she insulting the MP)?" one of those present poses.

OUTRAGE after a female observer was ASSAULTED during the Ruguru ward MCA by-election in Nyeri county pic.twitter.com/Yt2sqRdAsl

— K24 TV (@K24Tv) April 18, 2018

The contestants in the by-election include Erastus Karanja Muriuki (Jubilee Party) and James Simpson Macharia (Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC).

Other sources claimed that the incident occurred at Ndundini Polling Centre in Nyeri County.

Ruguru Ward has 14,014 registered voters who are distributed across 26 polling stations.

Muriuki's campaign trail saw Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, MPs Moses Kuria, Rigathi Gachagua, and Kanini Kega endorse his election.

On the other hand, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua had used his benchmarking visit in Nyeri to drum support for Macharia.

Here are some of the reactions after the video emerged:

Hii Kenya mambo na kura ni kufa kupona!!

— Bosire Vincent (@BosireVincent2) April 18, 2018

Kazi ya polisi Kenya no kuokota hongo na kulinda waheshimiwa.

— Mwaniki Kibui (@MwanikiKibui) April 18, 2018

Oh my God!! This is wrong and unacceptable, why was this Lady assaulted Bwana @JBoinnet @NPSOfficial_KE @DCI_Kenya

— Hon Majau (@cmajau_) April 18, 2018

No matter what she was doing. Her rights should be respected

— Charles Muasya (@Charles43686494) April 18, 2018

Kwani "mheshimiwa" ni Mungu

— Moses Njeri (@Mosesnjeri3) April 18, 2018

— chris Job (@chrizjob) April 18, 2018

That is so wrong... Kwani Uhuru Ametusiwa Mara ngapi.. Arrest that man

— sonai gady (@GadySonai) April 18, 2018