The CORD coalition, led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has sensationally claimed that the Jubilee government is planning to use prisoners to rig the 2017 General Election.
Speaking in Kakamega county, the leaders stated that they would not allow the Jubilee team any chance to rig the Presidential election, adding that a new ploy had been hatched involving registration of inmates.
“They have said even prisoners will be registered as voters, but we know that there is their opportunity to steal the election. If someone has been imprisoned for life, whom will they vote for?” ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya wondered.
Odinga supported Oparanya’s claims, warning Jubilee that they would not only block the rigging plot but also send election thieves to prison.
“Tumeskia yale wanapanga, lakini sisi tutawanasa na tutawaweka ndani (We have heard what they have planned, but we will capture them and send them to prison)", Odinga stated while supporting Oparanya’s sentiments.
The Opposition leaders were responding after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) last week stated that it would introduce a framework that will allow prisoners to register and exercise their right to vote in this year's election.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said the commission was in the process of creating the registration centres based on the data to be received from the State Department of Correctional Services.
He added that the commission plans to roll out the registration of voters in the prisons from February 20 to February 27, 2017.
Chebukati noted that the Supreme Court, in 2011, ruled that prisoners have the right to vote, including in national referenda.
