You Are Arresting And Harassing Our People – Chebukati Screams

In what the IEBC termed as intimidation, the commission has accused the government of unjustly arresting, detaining, and confining three employees of the Smartmatic International B.V in a solitary hideout.

“The brazen decision of the security authorities to arrest, detain and confine in a solitary hideout the three personnel without justification is an exhibition of intimidation on hardworking persons who are only keen to deliver a robust technology infrastructure for conduct of a credible, secure and verifiable election,” IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati said in a statement.

The three personnel, who were in the country to execute a lawful contract relating to the deployment of technology in the forthcoming elections according to the IEBC, were arrested upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Venezuela.

According to Wafula Chebukati, the arrest was still made even after the commission informed the airport officials about their arrival in advance.

Chebukati said IEBC has a legal contract with Smartmatic International B.V, the firm contracted to supply technology materials for the August 9 election, saying it does not understand why police detained its officials.

“IEBC has a valid legal contract executed between itself and Smartmatic International B.V. for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support, and maintenance of the Kenya Integrated Election Management System,” read part of the IEBC statement.

Chebukati further stated that the continued holding of the individuals has the potential of interfering with the deployment of technology in the elections.

“Technology plays a significant role in elections and the commission wonders what the intention behind the holding of the technical personnel is meant to achieve.

“IEBC wishes to inform the public that the arrest and continued holding of the personnel have the inevitable effect of hampering the deployment of technology in the forthcoming General Election.” Sated Chebukati.

Police officers, however, said that the three foreigners were arrested because the commission did not explain why it laid down procedures for transporting sensitive material or cargo were not followed, even though the poll agency is an independent commission.

The arrest of the officials comes days after IEBC dismissed reports that there were plans to rig the election, and that the commission was denied access to election materials withheld at JKIA.

The commission now demands the immediate release of the three individuals for the smooth running of technology in the August elections.

“The commission is concerned about this unjustified intimidation, harassment, and blackmail whatsoever and demands the immediate release of the three employees of Smartmatic International B.V,” Said Chebukati.

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