Re: Ballot boxes destroyed in Garsen

Robert Alai wrote:

Written By:Rose Kamau/kna   , Posted: Fri, Dec 28, 2007

Panic gripped election officials in Garsen following the destruction of 35 ballot boxes by a rowdy mob that was protesting against alleged rigging.
The officials were besieged inside the Garsen Methodist Church as security officers kept vigil to ensure their safety following attempted attacks on them.
Garsen District Officer Kennedy Wanyonyi was beaten up by the mob as he went out to buy water at a nearby shop.  He was rescued by security officers patrolling the only tarmac road in Garsen township.
After being dispersed following the burning of the ballot boxes, the mob regrouped and charged towards the tallying hall, attacking anybody with an electoral commission badge - including election observers and journalists.
Those who did not manage to make it to the hall were forced to run for dear life to Idsowe village, about two kilometers away, while all activities inside the tallying hall were completely halted.
Returning Officer George Mwadaye told the press that everything was at a standstill since some election materials had been destroyed.
Tana River District Elections Coordinator, Mrs. Christine Bahati Karani, told the Kenya News Agency on phone that she was travelling to Garsen from Hola, about 90 kilometers away, to assess the situation.
"Currently, we have not come up with a way forward and that is why I am rushing there to assess the situation and decide what to do," Mrs. Karani said.
Justice Assistant Minister Danson Mungatana and the ODM candidate, Ambassador Hussein Dado, condemned the violence but pointed accusing fingers at each other.
Dado accused Mungatana of trying to steal the election while Mungatana said Dado had incited his supporters to violence.
Earlier, the Kaddu candidate, Mohammed Galgalo had recorded a statement at the Garsen Police Station following allegations that Mungatana had been spotted compromising election official, a claim that the assistant minister vehemently denied.

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From: odhiambo okecth

This is the kind of staff we are talking about.

We witnessed on Television the police throwing teargases into the tallying point in Starehe, and also the police raiding the tallying point in Kamukunji.

In all the two stations, our ODM candidates, Bishop Wanjiru and Jonny, were at the time enjoying comfortable leads.

We also witnessed Kajiado North tallying station being taken over by the police under the guise of giving the defeated Saitoti escort.

This devilish attitude must be stopped. And it is only Kenyans who can do this by standing up for their rights.

More could be in store under the cover of darkness, mind you, Michuki is an expert at night operations.

We have fought for this liberation for so long; we have been abused for so long. We must not allow ourselves to be called pumbavu again.

The reign of everything goes must be stopped. We must not have any more road side declarations.

And this is the voice of the people of Kenya.