The government has today directed police to arrest and prosecute youths forcing residents to register as voter in Nyanza Internal security Principal Secretary Dr Karanja Kibicho termed as criminal move by armed youths in Siaya County to block traders and buyers from accessing the markets unless they have a voter’s card.
Speaking to press at Kerugoya town after leading a voter registration mobilization campaign in the area Kibicho also warned County bosses they may suffer a legal action if they deny anyone service since they are not registered voter.
He said that nobody should be harassed or denied government service for being not registered as voter. The nonsense PS insisted that registering as voter is not a mandatory exercise and Kenya constitution protect everybody right pointing that nobody should force any person to register.
Dr Kibicho revealed that he has instructed police to deal firmly with youths and politicians forcing residents to register saying that the government will not entertain unruly behaviors.
However he pointed that it’s every leader responsibility to ensure that all adult Kenyans participates fully in registration but without any coercion. The PS also warned bar owners holding their customers IDs of dire consequence and directed administrators to ensure no Id is being detained as collateral by bar owners.
The PS that the government is investigating allegations that over 20,000 Identity cards belonging to the youths are being held by bar owners in the county due to unpaid alcohol bill. ‘’It’s criminal for any person to consivicate and detain ID belonging to another person we can’t allow that to happen and I have instructed police and local administrator to launch investigations on the matter’’.
He pointed. The ongoing drought has also complicated the situation with the PS saying that residents are forced to go and look for food instead of going to register. He said that the government is mitigating the problem by requesting IEBC to avail mobile registration kitty to reach all corners. He also appealed to politicians to facilitate those unable to reach registration center with transport.
