Several police officers have been deployed to Bonchari Constituency Kisii ahead of Tuesday by-election.
According to Police sources, three officers will be keeping guard in each of the 103 polling stations.
At least 30 police vans with armed police will be patrolling the Constituency that has 52, 595 voters.
The County Returning Officer Benson Sumbwa says they have made adequate preparations ahead of the exercise. “We are ready for the exercise. Voters are required to adhere to all Covid-19 measures.”
There have been complaints from various candidates in alleged voter intimidation and harassment from police officers.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and party treasurer today morning raised concern over some polling materials that had allegedly been tampered with.
“It is becoming practical that someone is participating in a grand plan to tamper with the exercise. ODM is prepared to participate in fair and free elections; now and in the future.”
Bosire called on the police and IEBC to allow the electorates to freely elect their leader. “There are rumours that some leading civil servants want to influence the outcome of the exercise.”
Sifuna said the party is ready to handle those who will be out to engage in election malpractices. The huge contingent of police officers in this area is a show that some people are bent to rig in the election.”
People’s Democratic Party Leader Omingo Magara who has been supporting the UDA candidate Terresa Bitutu says that the continued intimidation during the campaigns and after will soil the credibility of the by-election.
“We have done our part and we are confident that we will emerge the winners. We will guard our votes right from the polling stations all through to the Constituency centre.”
The seat fell vacant three months after the death of former MP John Oroo.
By Frank Akunga
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