An Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) official in the concluded August 9 General Elections claimed that rowdy youth forced him to alter election results at gunpoint.
The presiding officer stationed at Ongeti Primary polling station in Kochia ward in Rangwe constituency alleged that election malpractice occurred at the gubernatorial elections in Homa Bay.
He appeared as the first witness before Justice Roselyne Aburili at the Homa Bay High Court in the case filed by former Nairobi governor, Evans Kidero, challenging the election victory of the county boss, Gladys Wanga.
“Immediately after counting votes, a group of rowdy youths came and switched off the lights, pointed a gun at me, and forced me to record cooked results,” he testified.
The witness claimed that the assailants forced him to record the shambolic figures, reportedly favour of Homa Bay governor, Gladys Wanga, and due to pressure and a morbid fear for his life, he obliged to their demands.
He also alleged that after the mortifying encounter, he recorded a statement at the nearest police station.
“I went to report the incident at Rangwe Police Station and stand by my words, that the election was not fair at Ongeti primary polling station,” stated the official.
The official further accused IEBC of failing to conduct a free and fair election at the voting station.
While addressing the judge, he argued that he was not afraid to differ with the election commission. He insisted that the polls were marred with irregularities on matters transparency.
Wanga’s lawyers, however, challenged the witness, questioning his contrasting statements that alluded the vote counting process was conducted peacefully, alleging that he had a bias towards their client.
The defence team also argued that the witness was wrong to testify against IEBC, citing that he had taken a binding oath during recruitment.
The governor who contested on an ODM ticket won the gubernatorial race with 244,559 votes against Kidero’s 154,182, an independent candidate.
At Ongeti polling station Wanga garnered 235 votes against Kidero’s 115 votes.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE