Voter bribery, goonism define Ol Kalou mini-poll

DCP parliamentary candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau arrives at Ol Kalou Comprehensive School after receiving reports of violence outside the polling station. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Black Prados, masked men, chaos, tear gas, bribes and a stunned electorate marked what was billed to be a by-election like no other in Ol Kalou. For a constituency known more for the potatoes, carrots and cabbages it feeds the country, the goonism and violence underscored the high-stakes nature of the mini election.

Voters who had turned up early to vote across the 144 polling stations reported cases of political operatives distributing money directly outside polling stations, while others were allegedly issuing cash in the voting queues.

As the tallying went on into the night, with all indications pointing to a big win for DCP candidate Samuel Kamau Ngotho, fear was palpable.

Plain-clothed officers clad in masks were reported across various parts of Ol Kalou town and its environs, with the electorate claiming they went around intimidating voters.

At the Huruma Primary School, where UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah voted, a section of voters claimed to have received Sh1,000 after voting in favour of the person trying to influence them.

“All I had to do was show proof that we voted in the agreed manner and we got our money,” said a resident who only chose to be identified as Bernice for fear of reprisal.

A similar incident also occurred at the AC school where Ngotho voted. In clips seen circulating on social media. Two women were seen being frog- matched from the polling station after they were accused of trying to bribe voters.

Later in the day, it emerged that some voters had gotten messages showing that they had received amounts ranging from Sh500 to Sh2,000 as a token of appreciation from Poll Master Limited.

“Hi Mary, you have received Sh500 from Pollmaster Limited... This is money for transport,” read a follow-up message. The text was claiming the money was from the UDA candidate, Muchina, an allegation that could not be independently verified by press time.

A CR12 search for a company called Poll Master LTD indicated it is owned by two directors, Moffat Ndwiga and Susan Muthoni. Whether this company was the one involved in the distribution of the money, it is yet to be known.

Muchina, who cast his ballot at about 8.30 am, alleged voter bribery, saying he had received reports from his campaign team that individuals were allegedly distributing money to voters near some polling stations.

He subsequently called on investigative authorities and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to kick-start investigations into the matter.

“I have received reports from my people that individuals are trying to bribe voters at some polling stations. I call upon the IEBC to investigate and take action against anyone attempting to influence voters so that we can have a free and fair election,” he said.

An angry Rigathi Gachagua called a press conference yesterday afternoon and berated government agencies for what he called plans to rig the election. The former deputy president said they will resist any attempt to manipulate the vote as the hooded officers had even confiscated journalists' cameras to erase the ballot mischief.

Gachagua further claimed that sections of the police service had been compromised, accusing unnamed government officials of using security officers to disrupt the by-election.

“I informed the IG, Douglas Kanja, that rogue police officers operating under Members of Parliament had been dispatched to Ol Kalou to cause mayhem,” he said.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who had accompanied Ngotho to vote, had earlier called on Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha to ensure only identifiable police officers are deployed in Ol Kalou, saying there should be no hooded police at polling stations.

He, however, commended the conduct of the election, saying the voting process had so far been peaceful and orderly.

"The process so far is satisfying. We cannot say we have seen any major issues from the IEBC. The people are very calm. There have been a few incidents, such as alleged voter bribery by our opponents, but that is neither here nor there," he said.

Former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga, however, pointed an accusing finger at the State, claiming it was behind the alleged bribery of voters.

“Definitely the government and its candidate have sensed defeat. Everywhere you go, they are supporting the DCP candidate and the government has resorted to deploying plain-clothed officers to disrupt the voting exercise,” Omanga claimed.

“I have also seen people receive messages saying they have been given anywhere between Sh500 and Sh2,000 from poll master limited. All this bribery is only meant to ensure that they add to their vote pool so as to be seen as still commanding votes in the Mt Kenya region but they know they can’t win. Despite spending billions in Ol Kalou, bringing boats, all government machinery, beds and even gas cookers, the residents already made up their minds a long time ago. They are vigilant and will be out to protect their votes,” she added.

Incidences of alleged plain-clothed officers orchestrating political interference were also reported. In one particular situation, the town turned chaotic after residents chased away those they believed were uniformed officers outside the ACK school polling station. The men were onboard a KCH 882J.

At the AC school, a Subaru trying to gain forceful entry into the premises was barred by the gathered residents and voters after they suspected it of being used for ulterior motives.

Yesterday, IEBC commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan dismissed claims that the heavy police deployment was intended to intimidate voters, saying the officers would be sparsely distributed and would not converge at individual polling stations.

He emphasised that the officers had been deployed solely to maintain law and order and would not interfere with the voting process.

"This is a reassurance to Kenyans and residents that nobody will interfere with the voting process. That is why we have increased the number of officers by drawing from neighbouring counties. It has nothing to do with voter suppression. We guarantee everybody free access to vote," he added.

Hassan also announced that police had been instructed to impound all unmarked vehicles or vehicles without number plates found operating within the constituency.

"Anybody who has removed number plates from their vehicle and is moving around will have the vehicle impounded. Indeed, one vehicle has already been impounded and its owner will be arraigned in court," he said.

Responding to concerns of hooded officers, Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha acknowledged that plainclothes officers, including detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), had been deployed.

"Definitely, the DCI officers are here with us and we know that they normally put on civilian clothing. So we can't say we don't have officers in civilian," Nkanatha said.

He, however, assured voters that all security personnel deployed for the by-election were identifiable and that no officer was using an unmarked vehicle.

"No police officer is driving an unmarked car. The DCI has its number plates, the police have theirs, and even my car has a number plate," he said.

Nkanatha warned that any security officer found operating a vehicle without registration plates would face legal action.

Wading into the matter, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen yesterday said he had directed investigations into alleged police interference.

Murkomen warned that rogue officers alleged to have been involved in the incident at Ol Kalou Comprehensive Primary School polling station will face the wrath of the law, adding that nobody will be spared if found to have engaged in violence.

Addressing journalists outside TransNzoia County Assembly premises after he gave a key speech to Members of the County Assembly, the CS said it is unlawful for an individual to cause violence, adding that officers implicated will be punished.

"We want to know who sent those officers to commit such a grave crime. If it is the IG or any individual who sent them, they will be held responsible," he said.

At the same time, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has called for investigations into the firm Poll Master that was distributing money to voters.

“I am calling upon IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon and the relevant law enforcement agencies to speak up and investigate these allegations of offensive and outright bribery, using mobile money transfer. Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa needs to tell us why this is happening, yet they are contracted by the IEBC to provide telecommunications infrastructure and technical support. If true, we need nothing but the resignation of both Ethekon and Ndegwa,” stated Muturi.