IEBC clerks among those charged with election offences

From left to right is IEBC clerk officials Benard Malange Matuku and Kennedy Mulwa Kitheka, agents Jeremiah Sosi Musiita, Athmani Ali Wafisi, Hamadi Hassan Mariaka, Mohmeed Salim Kai, Harry Sululu Barasa, Fredrick Njagi and voter Leonard Odonda Kinyaga before Mombasa Senior Principal Magistrate Francis Kyambia. 

Eight party agents and polling officials were yesterday charged with various election malpractices.

The charges ranged from offering bribes to voters and supplying extra ballot papers to being in possession of national identity cards belonging to other people.

Those charged in Mombasa include Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials Benard Malange Matuku and Kennedy Mulwa Kitheka, as well as party agents Jeremiah Sosi Musiita, Athmani Ali Wafisi, Hamadi Hassan Mariaka, Mohmeed Salim Kai, Harry Sululu Barasa, Fredrick Njagi.

Leonard Odonda Kinyaga, a voter, was also charged.

The eight appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Francis Kyambia and denied the charges. They were released on a bond of Sh300,000 each.

In Maralal, two IEBC officials were arraigned and charged with wilfully preventing people from voting.

Two accused

The two accused – Fredrick Lentrukan, 47, and Monica Njoroge, 26 – denied the charge before Senior Magistrate Abraham Gachie and were released on a Sh30,000 cash bail each.

The case will be heard on September 13.

And in Siaya County, an IEBC returning office was charged with failing to seal a ballot box containing presidential votes.

Mark Otieno Sulwe, who was stationed in North Ugenya, appeared before Siaya Principal Magistrate Celesta Okore where he denied the charges.

Hearing of the matter was set for August 30 and the case will be mentioned on August 25. [Joackim Bwana, Martin Njiru and Olivia Odhiambo]