DPP asks police to investigate electoral malpractices, violence in by-elections

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji. [David Njaaga, Standard]

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has called for immediate investigations into incidents of electoral malpractice and violence that were experienced in different parts of the country during the recently concluded by-elections.

The DPP particularly highlighted Matungu Constituency, Kakamega County, and London Ward, Nakuru County, where incidents of violence were captured on camera.

“I hereby direct that you (National Police Service) immediately institute joint investigations into the said allegations and submit the resultant investigations file within 30 days hereof,” read the letter to Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai.

On the voting day, the Matungu by-election had been rocked by chaos and bribery claims over alleged election malpractices.

On Thursday former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa slapped a presiding officer at Ebulonga polling station.

Echesa claimed Peter Okuro, the presiding officer, had blocked their party agents from the polling station.

ODM agents were also beaten and injured by rival supporters after they found them with campaigning material and money inside a polling station.

ANC candidate Peter Nabulindo won the Matungu by-election garnering 14,257 votes, trouncing his closest challenger, David Were of Orange Democratic Movement, who got 10,565 votes.

Chaotic scenes were also witnessed in London Ward, Nakuru County, on the voting day as police teargassed a group of leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto.

Langata MP Nixon Korir was roughed up by a group of youths at the Milimani Primary School polling station and police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse senators Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) and other Tanga Tanga MPs.

Antony Nzuki of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) won the by-election with 1,707 votes.

He was followed closely by Jubilee's Francis Njoroge who garnered1,385 votes.