Police in Khwisero constituency are in pursuit of a candidate who allegedly attacked officers of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
During the alleged attack, an officer was injured and election materials were destroyed.
Godfrey Kanoti, who was contesting for the Khwisero constituency Member of Parliament position on the ANC ticket, is reported to have stormed the Eshivinga polling station in Kisa East Ward in the company of two others before they allegedly committed the heinous act.
Confirming the incident Khwisero OCPD Samuel Kogo said he received a call from one of the police officers manning the polling station at around 6 pm (Wednesday) who reported the attack.
“The officer called me and told me they were being beaten up by goons who were in the company of the MP candidate Godfrey Kanoti," he said.
"I immediately mobilized some officers and rushed to the scene. I found that the election officers had been roughed up and in that process, the election materials were damaged. At least nine ballot boxes had been damaged and ballot papers had been thrown all over the place.”
He added that at the scene, they found a vehicle Toyota Land cruiser believed to belong to the candidate.
Upon searching the car, the police found 9 machetes, 5 Jembe handles, and 2 Simis which were collected and taken to the police station as an exhibit.
“In the process, the owners of the vehicle ran away and efforts to arrest them are still underway, we believe the candidate and his accomplice are just within and soon we’ll catch up with them and let them face the law in court.” He said
The OCPD warned that that was a very serious election offence and asked IEBC to take action once they are arrested.
“However, the criminal part of which we are dealing with here is malicious damage to property and also some IEBC officials were assaulted and we shall take action on that.” He said
The Candidate was battling it out with the incumbent Member of Parliament Christopher Aseka who has retained the seat.
