Eight suspects were arrested after allegations of violence, they were due in court on Monday/MUTHONI NJUKI
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 17 – Police in Ndhiwa say they are holding a brother to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Augustino Neto and seven other suspects over poll-related violence in the constituency.
Area police boss Achesa Litabalia confirmed that the eight were arrested on Monday morning at Luanda Kowuor area in Ndhiwa.
Litabalia said the eight suspects allegedly attacked agents of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) before police officers rushed to the scene and managed to contain the chaos before nabbing the suspects.
The suspects are being held at the Ndhiwa police station and will be arraigned in court after investigations are complete.
KANU candidate Tom Onyango had raised concerns over the security of his supporters and agents ahead of polling.
Onyango alleged that there was information that ODM planned to ferry hooligans to areas perceived to be strongholds of their rivals and cause chaos.
In another incident in Ndhiwa, a voter was arrested for double registration which is regarded as a serious electoral offence.
The man claimed that he lost his Identity Card earlier but suspected that someone must have used it to register.
The Returning Officer in the area Maurice Simiyu warned that any voter found to be engaging in double registration will be arrested.
In another incident in Ndhiwa, a voter was arrested for double registration which is regarded as a serious electoral offence.
He said his officers were alert and will nab anybody who tries to cheat their way in the process.
Security remained tight in the constituency with a presence of over 100 police officers at the Ndhiwa Social Centre where tallying will be done later in the day.
Litabalia said two police officers had been dispatched to every polling station to ensure the poll proceeds smoothly.
He asked people to leave after casting their vote: “We don’t expect people to hang around the polling centres expecting money or anything else. That will be out of order. We have ensured there is security and we even have police investigators to deal with any malpractices.”
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