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- Three election contract employees have been arrested in Kenya.
- They’re staff of voting expertise agency Smartmatic.
- Kenya goes to the polls on 9 August.
Police in Kenya arrested three contractors working for the electoral fee after they landed on the nation’s important airport in Nairobi, the fee mentioned in an announcement.
The arrests might add to tensions within the run-up to the 9 August normal election, as earlier votes have been marred by allegations of fraud.
READ | Six weeks earlier than Kenya votes, worldwide companions name for peaceable elections
Police mentioned they’d arrested and later launched a “foreigner” who had not declared delicate election-related stickers found of their private baggage.
They didn’t point out that two others had been arrested.
The three staff of voting expertise agency Smartmatic have been arrested on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Worldwide Airport on Thursday, the Impartial Electoral and Boundaries Fee (IEBC) mentioned in an announcement late on Thursday.
IEBC has contracted Smartmatic to provide, take a look at and keep software program, {hardware} and equipment for the election.
IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati mentioned:
The brazen choice of the safety authorities to arrest… the three personnel with out justification is an exhibition of intimidation.
Police mentioned they weren’t notified concerning the import of election supplies beforehand.
“The stickers weren’t accompanied by an IEBC official as per routine process,” police spokesperson Bruno Shioso mentioned in an announcement.
Investigations revealed the stickers have been authentic IEBC property associated to subsequent month’s election, police mentioned.
A Smartmatic spokesperson didn’t instantly reply to an emailed request for remark.
Subsequent month’s election pits veteran candidate Raila Odinga towards Deputy President William Ruto in what opinion polls recommend might be a good race.
Lethal clashes adopted the 2007 and 2017 votes.
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