Stalemate between IEBC and transporters cause delays in distribution of election materials

IEBC officials carry ballot boxes, materials and box polling booth to polling stations in Nyeri in preparation for the 2017 elections at Nyeri polytechnic on 7th AUGUST 2017. PHOTO by DAVID GICHURU

Distribution of election materials in Mogotio and Marigat constituencies has been delayed after transporters hired by IEBC decry low payment.

Vehicle owners claim IEBC proposed to pay between Sh2,000 to Sh6,000 and are now demanding higher payments.

The same was also experienced in Bomet Central where election materials had not been dispatched to polling stations over a stalemate that lasted for more than three hours between IEBC and vehicle owners.

Transporters argue that the electoral commission was paying Sh12,000 per day in the 2013 elections and were wondering why the amount had been reduced to Sh5,000.

Elsewhere in Kisii and Nyamira Counties, the transportation of election materials to polling stations was delayed due to heavy rains and poor road network.

By Monday noon, most vehicles hired to ferry election materials had not left dispatch centers, citing poor road network.

However, Kisii County IEBC Returning officer Dr Sydney Namlungu said everything was on course as the commission was working to ensure the issue is resolved without further delays.

Dr Namlungu said that all election materials would be delivered to various polling stations by the end of Monday.

Namlungu explained that measures have been put in place to ensure free and fair elections despite NASA candidates accusing their colleagues in Jubilee of plotting to rig the elections.

ODM Woman Representative Janet Ongera alleged that some presiding officers had been compromised and that IEBC's claim of some centres lacking 3G network was suspect.

Dr Namlungu explained that there is a difference in using 3G for voice calls and when sending data through the same network.

"We have several issues but by the time we are sending results we could have achieved almost 70 percent of the required work. Nobody should panic on this," he said.

Nyaribari Chache Jubilee Candidate Richard Tongi said that all candidates should give IEBC humble time to conduct elections.

"We have held peaceful campaigns and we should all remember that we have a country to keep even after the elections," said Tongi.