At least 20 people are in police custody over perceived election malpractices in Kiminini and Cherengany Sub Counties.
According to the county Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Francis Kihara, 19 people were arrested Tuesday night at Bikeke Boys Secondary School, the tallying centre for Cherengany Sub County for allegedly causing violence.
“Security officers managed to arrest the culprits, who were at the time of incident, beating members of the public for no apparent reason,” said Kihara.
The CCIO said the hooligans, whom reliable sources revealed were allies to one of the contestants for Trans Nzoia county assembly seat, were found in possession of crude weapons, mostly clubs.
The accused are being held at Bikeke Police Station waiting to be presented at Kitale Law Courts, where they will be charged with election malpractice offences.
In a separate incident, police officers in Kiminini have eventually arrested the runway driver whose vehicle had been spotted loaded with dangerous weapons.
“It is true security officers have arrested Mr. Brian Sande Kikuyu, 31. The accused was on the run after his Toyota van, which was parked at Kiminini Primary School was spotted loaded with clubs,” confirmed Kihara.
The culprit has been placed in police cells at Kitale Police Station, while his vehicle has been confiscated to aid in investigations. “Police retrieved eight clubs at time of the arrest,” he said.
Kihara has urged members of the public to remain extra vigilant and work closely with security agents, particularly during this critical time in order to accord officials of the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ample time to conclude the General Elections process.
By Maurice Aluda
