Heavy Security At Bomas Angers Azimio Leaders [VIDEO]

The leaders were let in through the main gate and led to a holding area where they could be seen making several calls before accessing the centre.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Aug 14, 2022 - 15:05 Updated: Aug 14, 2022 - 15:05
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Heavy Security At Bomas Angers Azimio Leaders [VIDEO]
Heavily armed police officers at the Bomas of Kenya National Tallying Centre. /DAILY NATION

A section of Azimio la Umoja leaders protested the heightened security at the National Tallying Centre at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi which led them to be temporarily locked out of the premises.

Chairman of the Azimio Campaign Board and outgoing Laikipia governor, Ndiritu Muriithi, complained during a media address on Sunday, August 14 that he was locked out of accessing the centre despite receiving accreditation by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

He called upon the IEBC chairman, Wafula Chebukati to intervene while questioning numerously why his role was being interfered with by the police.

Among those who were also blocked from accessing the premises were Kisumu governor-elect Prof. Anyang Nyong’o, Fred Gumo, Siaya governor-elect, James Orengo, Jubilee Vice-chairperson, David Murathe and Nairobi Senator-elect, Edwin Sifuna.

"What is the point of accrediting us? As an agent, how would you explain my being locked out?

"So, Chebukati and his team must come clean to Kenyans. We have explained to the law enforcement officers that what happens from here is up to them," he addressed.

Nyong'o had maintained that they were assigned by the Azimio coalition and had given them the assignment to monitor the vote tallying process, and some of the leaders were saved by former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, as they accessed the tallying centre.

The leaders were let in through the main gate and led to a holding area where they could be seen making several calls before accessing the centre.

There was a heavy contingent of police officers with some dressed in sophisticated gear, manning the gate and preventing further access to unauthorised persons, that is anyone without an accredited badge.

The IEBC had ordered politicians out of the auditorium. Commissioner Abdi Guliye announced on Saturday, August 13 that politicians and anyone without a specific duty have been barred from the tallying centre which is carrying out verification of the Forms 34A and 34B.

Guliye added that the directive was in line with the commission's plan to speed up the process and conclude on time, without interruption from politicians and other unauthorised individuals.

The Commissioner further noted that IEBC would only allow the Chief Agents of the presidential candidates, their deputies and clerks assisting in the verification process to access the auditorium, as well as members of the media.

"Moving forward, IEBC’s national tallying centre at the Bomas of Kenya will only allow the presence of chief and deputy chief agents and clerks who are doing the verification; no one else is allowed!

"We have also given instructions at the gate that no one should be allowed at the venue. That is the instructions we have given to the police," Guliye added.

Other than the media, election observers and diplomats were allowed to stay and monitor the tallying process.

However, on the same night, chaos ignited inside the auditorium, and Raila Odinga's chief agent, Saitabao Ole Kanchory boldly walked towards the VIP dais where Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati sits, alongside his team and shouted: "I want to announce that Bomas of Kenya is a scene of crime."

Chaos at Bomas of Kenya as politicians clash on August 13, 2022. /CITIZEN TV

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