Police at Serem station in Hamisi Sub County are holding a man for allegedly hiding to avoid being enumerated by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) officials.
Speaking to Kenya News Agency (KNA), Vihiga County Commissioner (CC), Mrs. Suzan Waweru confirmed that the suspect, Elias Asige, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon at Itumbi village in Givogi sub location.
“The culprit had climbed on top of trees where he had sought refuge as he attempted to hide from Census officials who were taking population tally in the village,” said Waweru.
The CC said Banja Location Chief, Harun Mbeere led a team of security officers who arrested the suspect before taking him to Serem Police Station for interrogation.
“The area chief was acting on a tip off from concerned members of public,” added Waweru.
Speaking separately to KNA, Chief Mbeere said the suspect had subscribed to what he described as a cultic Church based in Eldoret town in Uasin Gishu County.
“He has on several occasions in the past rejected to participate in government projects and programmes often citing his Church doctrines,” said Mbeere.
“The man has in the past given officers out to collect important data or administer government programmes a difficult time,” reported Mbeere.
The local administrator cited the man’s open defiance against registration for Huduma Number and refusal to allow his children to receive polio jabs.
The CC told KNA she had instructed security officers to thoroughly probe the suspect in order to understand his level of normalcy as well as establish the nature and whereabouts of his church.
The County boss further disclosed that security officers were also hunting for a woman in the same village who, it was claimed, had also declined to be counted by census officials.
Meanwhile, a Kabarnet court has released a Chief and an MCA facing incitement charges over the ongoing census exercise on Sh.100, 000 cash bail.
Appearing before Resident Magistrate, Vienna Amboko Ilchamus Ward MCA, Joseph Leparsalach and Salabani Location chief, Francis Lekipiris denied the charges of incitement to violence and disobedience to law contrary to section 96(c) of the penal code.
The duo were charged that on August 22, 2019 at Kambi ya Samaki area Salabani location of Baringo South, without lawful excuse uttered words; “we will resist any attempts to have our people counted under Baringo North Sub-County”.
According to the prosecution led by Joseck Abwaja the words uttered by the two implied that it was desirable for the residents to boycott the national exercise of 2019.
Elswhere, the Kiamumbi location chief in Kiambu County has criticized residents who deliberately avoided their homes during the census exercise thus taking advantage of family members who have to answer questions in their absence.
George Mburu expressed his disappointment today after enumerators from the area raised challenges pertaining to deliberate absence by some locals who were now misusing the opportunity granted to them that allowed them to leave their personal information with other family members within the households.
The Ndumberi area chief in Kiambu County on Tuesday attributed the smooth running of the Census exercise to the cooperation of residents who were always home by the stipulated time.
While talking to KNA from Kiambu township, Christopher Gathuma lauded the residents for their part in the ongoing exercise saying most returned home early thus enabling the enumerators to do their work.
“Many businesses in Ndumberi shopping centre close by 7 pm and this made our work easier because all the houses had occupants,” Gathuma said.
By KNA Team
