Only Chief presidential agents, supporting staff to remain at Bomas, IEBC says

IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati at the National Tallying center, Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says it will only allow limited access to the National Tallying Center at Bomas of Kenya going forward.

Addressing the media on Saturday, August 13, the Returning Officer for the Presidential Election Abdi Guliye said only presidential chief agents, their assistants, clerks, diplomats, observers, and the media will be allowed at the tallying center.

The move, Guliye said, would help fasten the verification process of forms 34A and 34B, currently underway at Bomas.

"We have also given instructions to the police that no one else should be allowed at the venue," Guliye said.

As soon as he made the announcement, some leaders from the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja factions could be heard protesting the move.

Yesterday, a commotion was witnessed between allies of the leading presidential candidates, Raila Odinga of Azimio la Umoja and William Ruto of UDA.

It emerged that some leaders from Azimio la Umoja coalition had taken issue with those from the Kenya Kwanza brigade over claims of interfering with the physical forms.