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2017 KENYA ELECTIONS

Govt refutes NASA claims of military, police involvement to rig elections

Omamo and Matiangi were addressing a press conference in Kisumu on Saturday. Photo/OJWANG JOE.

NAIROBI, Kenya July 29 – The government has dismissed claims by the Opposition coalition, NASA that the military and police are involved in an alleged plot to rig next month’s General Election in favour of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Cabinet Secretaries Raychelle Omamo and Fred Matiangi who is incharge of the Interior Ministry termed the claims as “baseless and only meant to cause unnecessary tension in the country.”

The claims were made by NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga earlier this week before his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka provided several correspondence letters, he alleged are from the military, showing an elaborate plan of their involvement before, during and after the elections.

“I do not know anything about the said letters because I have not seen them,” Omamo told a news conference in Kisumu, a day after NASA released the letters to the public.

“There is nothing like that because the military is apolitical, it does not take sides and is not involved in the elections,” she said, and dismissed claims that the military will isolate areas like Kibera and Mathare for security reasons.

She assured the country that the army will continue operating professionally while executing their mandate.

“We are not there to do unlawful things or to rig elections…we do not want to be dragged into the putrid miasma of political engagement,” she asserted, assuring that the military will continue to execute their mandate without “fear of intimidation.”

She condemned NASA leaders for releasing names and contacts of soldiers allegedly set to be used in the rigging plot, saying that poses security threat to their lives and family.

“We will discharge our constitutional mandate properly and into the best interest of the Kenyan people,” the CS said.

Matiangi too defended the National Police Service against claims that they are also involved in the alleged rigging plot.

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“Those are rumours being peddled on the streets against a professional police service. This is a disciplined service who cannot be involved in those things they are talking about,” Matiangi, who accompanied Omamo, told journalists in Kisumu.

He said KDF will be deployed to offer security during polls as per the constitution but not for rigging as claimed by NASA.

Raila however, insists that he has evidence of the military and police involvement in the alleged plot.
With the claims, residents of Nairobi informal sectors are calling on the Government to ensure police officers only provide security during the voting day.

With 9 days to voting, they want to be guaranteed the exercise will be free and fair, to ensure those declared the winner will reflect the will of the people.

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