MCA, IEBC clerk and 11 others arrested over illegal transfer of voters

NYERI: Police in Nyeri are holding 13 people, among them an MCA and an IEBC registration clerk after they were found transferring voters to Laikipia County.

The suspects were arrested by police in Mweiga, Nyeri County following a tip-off by members of the public who complained that the duo were transferring voters from Kieni to the neighbouring Laikipia East constituency.

Kieni West OCPD John Kemboi said the two were found at the home of a Mary Wanjiru. The IEBC clerk, identified only as Josphat, had registration forms and a Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kit.

“We were informed that some people were transferring voters from Kieni to Laikipia at Upper Labura area of Kieni West. We raided the residence and found the clerk, the home owner and another woman,” said Kemboi.

The woman was later identified and was reported to come from in Laikipia East constituency.

Also arrested were the ward representative’s driver and eight women, including Wanjiru. Kemboi said the clerk had already transferred 14 people, mostly women.

Upper Central IEBC Regional Coordinator John Mwangi said the registration kit found with the clerk belonged to Laikipia.

“He was arrested some 30 kilometres inside Kieni and we are sure he was aware he had trespassed into another region. The respective constituency coordinators for Laikipia and Kieni are aware and they are helping the police with investigations,” said Mwangi.

The suspects will appear in court on Monday.