Supporters of poll loser ‘heckled’ IEBC officials

By NDERITU GICHURE

Kenya: A video clip, showing the unruly behaviour of supporters of a petitioner in the Othaya parliamentary seat, was played before an election court in Nyeri Tuesday.

Justice Jairus Ngaah allowed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to play the clip showing Peter King’ara’s supporters heckling its officials.

IEBC advocate Peter Munge demonstrated to the court the behaviour of a section of King’ara’s agents and supporters, which he said disrupted proceedings at the tallying centre.

The clip was played during the hearing of a case in which King’ara has challenged the election of Mary Wambui as the Othaya MP.

The IEBC, as part of its defence, wanted to show the court that agents and supporters of a poll loser allegedly interfered with the counting of votes at the Othaya main tallying centre and that their conduct was wanting.

While being cross-examined over details contained in his affidavit, King’ara defended his supporters saying they were agitated because the electoral process was not free and fair.

He had a hectic time trying to explain why his agents including his son and his chief campaigner Mr Stephen Muito were seen heckling and shouting down returning officer Mr James Mbai.

The petitioner rejected allegations that his agents were unruly and kept on heckling the returning officer during the tallying of the votes.

According to him, trouble started when Rukira primary school presiding officer Mr Godfrey Kariuki arrived with an envelope containing two forms 35 yet he had nothing to identify himself as an IEBC official.

Mr Munge claimed that at some point the Rukira primary school presiding officer was roughed up and harassed by Kingara’s supporters and his agents and wondered how form 35 ended up in the hands of a supporter. Hearing continues.