The National Police Service (NPS) has responded to an outburst by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, alleging that its information technology experts from Venezuela were unlawfully arrested at JKIA.
NPS, in a statement dated, Thursday, July 21, clarified that the three Venezuelan nationals were apprehended at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) arrested owing to the sensitivity of elections material they were in possession of.
Officers at the airport traced IEBC stickers in one of the foreigners' bags.
Police Spokesperson Bruno Shioso defended his officers, stating that they observed strict security protocols at the international airport.
"That the stickers were not accompanied by an IEBC official as per the routine procedure. That police, as per standard procedure and arrangement with IEBC were not notified of such an import beforehand to provide necessary security and escort.
"The said stickers were not declared as per the law and such sensitive materials were carried in the personal luggage of a foreigner," the police statement read in part.
Subsequent investigations also revealed that the stickers were bona fide property of the IEBC and part of the election-related material.
After investigations and probes by the law enforcement officers, the three Venezuelans were set free and materials released to IEBC.
IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati had raised concerns over the arrest of the Venezuelans who are Information Technology experts.
The trio, he stated, were tasked with helping the commission to deploy Kiems kits across the country.
"The three personnel, who are employees of Smartmatic International B.V were arrested upon arrival.
"IEBC has a valid legal contract executed between itself and Smartmatic International B.V. for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the Kenya Integrated Election Management System," read the statement in part.
The arrest came hours after IEBC dispelled reports that election materials were being held at JKIA.
Chebukati explained that the security officers at JKIA were tasked with verifying stickers used in labelling election materials before distributing them.
