Government has termed as untrue claims that Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Malava Constituency Member of Parliament by-election Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) candidate Seth Panyako have been arrested.
Western Regional Commissioner Irungu Macharia, says the claims circulating in the social media to the effect that the two leaders been arrested are false.
Speaking to the Kenya News Agency in his office in Kakamega, the RC, who is also the chair of the regional security team cautioned those spreading the unfounded rumours to cease forthwith and allow voters to turn out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right.
“The two leaders are free since they have not committed any electoral offence to warrant an arrest,” he said.
“We want to reassure all citizens of their security and urge voters to come out and vote before the close of the voting at 5pm,” he said.
“Neither Governor Natembeya nor Panyako has committed any electoral offence and therefore there is no reason for their arrest,” confirmed Mr Macharia
“In any case Governor Natembeya is not a voter here in Malava Constituency while Panyako cast his vote very early in the morning.
The RC urged residents to go about their usual business, saying that security is in place to ensure the voting exercise concludes well.
Natembeya has however said his life is in danger after his security detail was withdrawn about three days ago.
While speaking in Malava on Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen expressed concern that some VIPs have misused the security officers attached to them.
“Some are being attached with goons, putting the security of the citizens and the VIPs’ lives in danger,” he cautioned.
He clarified that the National Police Service (NPS) has carried out investigations which implicated some of the officers and who have been summoned to provide more information and explain why they are allegedly found in the midst of meetings where violence is being planned.
“There has been a hue and cry from some these leaders whose security officers have been called to provide more information and if they are found culpable disciplinary action will be taken against them,” he warned.
Murkomen moved to assure all law-abiding citizens including leaders that their security is guaranteed but added that when caught engaging in violence, the law will take its course, he cautioned.
by George Kaiga
