By Betty Luke
Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding has issued a warning to politicians whose supporters deface campaign posters of their opponents terming it a serious electoral offence.
Speaking during a county Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission election stakeholders’ engagement meeting, the administrator said the security team was pursuing some groups young people being used to cause chaos during political meetings so that they face the law.
“Damaging anyone’s property is a criminal offence and it must stop because those culpable will be severely dealt with,” said Mr Omoding.
County Police boss Hassan Barua urged political candidates who engage young people for specific tasks to pay their dues to avert mayhem and ugly confrontations.
“If you engage someone, why don’t you pay their money so they do not resort to destroying your billboards?” Mr Barua posed.
The warning comes in the wake of growing cases of vandalization of campaign billboards in the county.
Among those affected is Isiolo North MP candidate Ms Lucy Mworia who recently blamed her opponents for defacing her billboard at Mukuu area.
“This is so unfortunate and an act of cowardice and desperation. Tearing my billboard will not deter voters from electing me,” Ms Mworia then said.
The security bosses said they had received complaints from many residents and candidates that there was a group of boda operators who had developed the habit of storming into campaign meetings uninvited to demand for money from the aspirants.
Supporters who allegedly warn some candidates not to hold meetings in some specific areas were also put on police radar.
“We are hunting down a group of people who have decided that they cannot give aspirants a conducive environment to conduct their campaigns. A few rogue people cannot continue disturbing everyone when there are other important issues to attend to,” Mr Omoding maintained.
