Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet on Friday ordered the immediate interdiction of Kiptoo Birgen, OCPD Mathira West, for failing to arrest the man who slapped an election observer.
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i echoed the same sentiments saying the officer had lied to his bosses that the aggressor would be charged in court.
“The regional commissioner Central, told me that the victim had been given a P3 and people who perpetrated that act were supposed to be taken to court yesterday.
“When we checked, there was no OB entry, no P3 was written, no report taken and being told these people were going to court was a lie," revealed the CS during a Parliamentary Security Committee meeting in Mombasa on Friday morning.
[caption caption="Photo of the incident"]
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There was outrage across social media earlier this week 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 Miano.
"Unatusi mheshimiwa? Anatusi mheshimiwa kwa nini (How can she insult the MP? Why is she insulting the MP)?" one of those present poses.
The accused was, however, freed hours after his arrest.
According to Mr Birgen, they were waiting for Ms Miano to submit a P3 report before the suspect is charged next week.
On Thursday morning, Nyeri leaders lead by Governor Mutahi Kahiga condemned the incident and attacked the police for how they responded to the issue.
"I condemn the incident in Kiamariga Police Station where a female election observer was roughed up by known people and demand that action is taken against the individuals caught on camera perpetrating violence,” noted the Couty boss.
Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu reiterated the governor's sentiments claiming that the incident was shameful and had tainted the county's image, insisting that Jubilee Party scorns violence.
[caption caption="Ngunjiri Wambugu"]
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