A press statement released by IEBC dated Friday, February 5, singled out Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala for assaulting a female poll official.
“A female poll official was also assaulted, harassed, frog-marched, and insulted by a group of hooligans/goons in the company of Senator Cleophas Malala,” read the statement by IEBC.
IEBC further mentioned former Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage, Rashid Echesa, for assaulting a poll official who was discharging his official duties.
The commission said they were deeply concerned by the increased lawlessness and violence the country had recently observed before and during by-elections.
They further warned that if not firmly dealt with, the behavior would likely carry forward to threaten national security leading to the 2022 General Election.
"The commission strongly condemns all forms of electoral malpractices and in particular acts of violence against poll officials faithfully discharging their duties in the various by-elections of Thursday, March 4th 2021," it read.
IEBC stated it was taking the earliest opportunity to warn politicians and members of the public that no acts of violence would be tolerated in the March 18th, 2021 Machakos Senatorial by-election.
IEBC said it had taken several measures to ensure free and fair by-elections by holding security meetings with the National and County Security organs to plan for the deployment of adequate security personnel.
“An analysis of reports filed by the Commission’s Returning Officers in the seven by-election areas reveal that there were incidences of electoral violence and allegations of voter bribery in Matungu and Kabuchai Constituencies as well as in Hells Gate, London and Kiamokama County Assembly Wards,” they observed.
They further acknowledged that no such incidences had been reported in Huruma and Kitise/Kithuki County Assembly Wards.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati stated that they would liaise with DPP for action on the cases of assault and destruction of electoral materials.
