A section of clergy in Embu is calling on detectives in the area to investigate claims of some individuals buying National Identity Cards from registered voters ahead of General Election.
Mt. Kenya South Redeemed Gospel Church Bishop, Samuel Nginyi, said there were incriminating reports of individuals traversing parts of the County buying IDs from unsuspecting members of the public.
He cautioned residents against falling prey to the scheme aimed at blocking them from voting, noting it was a trick being employed by shrewd politicians, to beat their opponents by reducing their votes in support base.
“We strongly condemn such acts and ask our security agencies to act swiftly to ensure all eligible voters are accorded an opportunity to exercise their democratic right of voting,” Bishop Nginyi said.
Speaking after the Church Service that was also attended by candidates vying for various seats in the County, the cleric called on voters to also report such cases to authorities for action to be taken against the culprits.
His sentiments were echoed by gubernatorial candidate on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, Cecily Mbarire, saying that allegations were rife that Chiefs and their Assistants were in the frontline in the scam.
“Reports have reached us that Chiefs and their Assistants had been asked to ensure they buy at least 300 voters cards from every Polling Station and also collect their IDs from owners to bar them from voting,” said Ms. Mbarire.
She urged voters not to give in to the temptation of taking the Sh. 500 that was being offered for every ID, saying it could not be equated to having bad leaders for the next five years just because one did not have a chance of electing the deserving ones.
The leaders at the same time called on residents to maintain peace and tranquility during and after the elections to usher in a calm post-election period.
They asked voters to shun all forms of electoral violence since the election was an event that will and go but the country will go on.
