We did not steal IEBC kits, Al Shabaab

juma chrispinus

February 6, 2017 8:24 AM

Earlier, the IEBC assured that the data stored in the four kits was safe. The statement by the group brings a new twist in the whereabouts of the said kits.

The Somalia based militant group Al Shabaab has denied earlier claims by the Lafey Deputy Commissioner Eric Oronyi that they made away with Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits, a local daily reports.

During Thursday las week’s attack on an administrative police camp in Mandera County, the police said the group had made away with the BVR kits, some guns and a vehicle belonging to the police force.

“The attackers made away with a police vehicle, a motorcycle, three rifles, bullets and four voter registration kits belonging to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” Mr Oronyi had said.

In a statement through its radio and on its website Sunday, however, the terror group termed the Kenyan authorities claims as propaganda.

“The Mujahideen termed as false the claims of the Kenyan Government that some of the things we have seized include some of the election equipment known as BVR. Mujahideen say those equipment were not part of the spoils seized,” says part of the statement.

In a statement that the authorities issued, Oronyi had indicated that the terror group stole three guns, a police vehicle, a motorcycle, bullets and four voter registration kits. Earlier, the IEBC had assured that the data stored in their system was safe.

Al-Shabaab, who refer to themselves as Mujahideen, on their part have asked the government to come clean on the of the kits, raising concerns over the whereabouts of the said kits.

“Kenyan Government should stop lying about the kit. It is true that the Mujahideen attacked a police camp and seized police vehicle, several rifles, and ammunition. But they did not take away any election equipment,” says the statement.

Al-Shabaab also confirmed that during the 1.30am raid, police officers fled and left behind their belongings.

Oronyi and Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery had confirmed Al-Shabaab’s statement that all 21 police officers who were present during the attack fled and were not injured.

“The police officers took cover and the attackers made away with their personal belongings,” Oronyi said.

juma chrispinus