IEBC, DCI Clash Over Arrest of Venezuelans at JKIA

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has denied claims by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that three computer experts from Venezuela were arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday, July 21. 

IEBC, in its latest update on Friday, July 22, had claimed that the three officials were arrested at the airport when two of them had gone to check on their colleague. 

They said it was contrary to the single individual the National Police Service (NPS) had reported earlier that he had been arrested and set free thereafter.

Entrance to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. /FILE

"Whereas the impression created by the press release is that the personnel have been released, their release was conditional as they have to appear before the OCS Anti-Terrorism Police Unit on 26th July 2022 which inevitably affects the performance of their duties. 

"The National Police Service informed the public that the stickers had been released to the Commission yet the said stickers have in fact been confiscated and retained by the OCS Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, with the implication that the Commission is now not able to seamlessly prepare for the elections," claimed the commission led by Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati. 

However, the DCI issued a rejoinder to IEBC, affirming that the OCS ATPU they claimed the trio would appear before on Tuesday, July 26, was non-existent. 

They also added that there were no arrests made targeting the commission, while flagging its statement as fake. 

"The DCI hereby clarifies that no such persons have been detained; or any other person working for IEBC anywhere in the territory of the Republic of Kenya. Further, the DCI has no such office known as ‘OCS Anti Terrorism Police Unit’ in our structure. 

"The statement issued by the IEBC Chairman is not only inaccurate, but also misleading to the public and should be treated with the contempt it deserves," noted the DCI in part. 

IEBC further noted that the NPS had, and most importantly, confiscated all electronic items including mobile phones, laptops and flash disks in the custody of the personnel, the electronic items containing important and sensitive information relating to the forthcoming genuine elections as well as projects undertaken by them for other countries. 

The alleged trio were compelled to give passwords to the confiscated phones and gadgets resulting in a violation of their right to privacy. 

IEBC added that it was still troubled by the acts of the NPS and demanded the cessation of harassment of personnel of legitimately contracted service providers and called for the immediate release of all confiscated items.

IEBC registration clerks at Madaraka primary school using the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kit. /STANDARD DIGITAL

"The three personnel, who are employees of Smartmatic International B.V., were arrested upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Venezuela. This is despite the Commission Secretary/CEO explaining to the security authorities that the three personnel were in the country to execute a lawful contract relating to the deployment of technology in elections.

"IEBC has a valid legal contract executed between itself and Smartmatic International B.V. for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the Kenya Integrated Election Management System," the commission revealed in an initial statement.

IEBC further warned that the arrest had the potential of boosting a plot to sway the results of the upcoming August 9 general elections.