Nasa, envoys demand probe into Chris Msando killing

Nasa leaders Musalia Mudavadi (right), Moses Wetang'ula (centre) and Johnstone Muthama addressing journalists at Capitol Hill centre in Nairobi on July 31, 2017 where they condemned the killing of IEBC ICT manager Chris Msando. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Musalia Mudavadi said that despite the killing of Mr Msando, the opposition was ready for elections and Kenyans should prepare for a Nasa government.
• US envoy Robert Godec and British High Commissioner Nic Hailey raised concern over the killing of Mr Msando with a few days remaining to the elections.
• Nasa presidential running mate Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the killing and urged the IEBC to come out and assure the public that there will be credible elections

By NATION TEAM
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The National Super Alliance on Monday mourned electoral commission’s ICT manager Christopher Chege Msando, as it claimed that the killing was meant to frustrate Tuesday’s General Election.

Nasa co-principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula spoke as the United States of America and United Kingdom envoys condemned the killing and offered to help with investigations.

Speaking at Capitol Hill in Nairobi, Mr Mudavadi and Mr Wetang’ula said Mr Msando was the key man in the election owing to his knowledge of the location of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission ICT servers, hence his killing by “people determined to get their desired outcome in the elections”.

“Chris Msando’s brutal killing was an attempt to drive a dagger into the heart of the coming election and indeed, a dagger into the heart of Kenyan democracy. But we are totally confident that this terrible crime will accomplish the opposite and strengthen all Kenyans’ will to demand a free, fair and credible elections,” said Mr Mudavadi.

DRY RUN

The death of Mr Msando scuttled the dry run to demonstrate how transmission of results through the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (Kiems) would be done,  that was set to be held at Bomas of Kenya on Monday.

The 45,000 Kiems kits will be used by IEBC officers to verify registered voters before voting and to facilitate smooth and reliable voting on election day. 

 At the venue, people, including workers at Bomas, hurdled in groups, speaking in hushed tones before dispersing after IEBC chairman Mr Wafula Chebukati cancelled the function.

Relatives mourn Mr Chris Msando after viewing his body at City Mortuary on July 31, 2017. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

 Mr Mudavadi, who was flanked by Siaya Senator James Orengo and his Machakos counterpart Johnson Muthama said they have information that the ICT director was tortured before being murdered but would reveal more details later as they did not want to pile more anguish on the already grieving family.

“That no effort was made to camouflage this killing as an accident shows the determination of the killers to send a chilling message that they will stop at nothing to ensure they get an outcome of their desire,” said Mr Mudavadi.

TRANSPARENT ELECTION

He urged the IEBC commissioners to soldier on and redouble their determination to provide Kenyans with a most transparent election.

“The government should provide more security to the IEBC commissioners as we have information that they have been threatened as well,” Mr Mudavadi added.

He claimed that the ICT boss had expressed concern over his security and had reported the threats at Central Police Station but nothing was done about it.

He added that despite the killing of Mr Msando, the opposition was ready for elections and Kenyans should prepare for a Nasa government.

In a joint statement, US envoy Robert Godec and British High Commissioner Nic Hailey raised concern over the killing of Mr Msando with a few days remaining to the elections.

PEACEFUL POLLS

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the entire IEBC team. It is critical that Kenya have free, fair, credible and peaceful elections on August 8, and protection for IEBC staff is essential to achieving this goal.  We welcome the Government of Kenya’s commitment to investigating the murder.  We have offered our assistance in the investigation,” they said.

In Taita-Taveta, Nasa presidential running mate Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the killing and urged the IEBC to come out and assure the public that there will be credible elections and there is no mischief over Mr Msando’s murder.

IEBC commissioners at City Mortuary, Nairobi, on July 31, 2017 after viewing the body of the commission's ICT Manager Christopher Msando. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Mr Musyoka, who was on a campaign tour of the area, said Kenyans will not accept a rigged election, saying the opposition had sealed all loopholes for rigging and was assured of a landslide win in the August polls.

JOSEPH BOINNET

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, also a Nasa principal,  asked Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to ensure investigations into the murder are handled with seriousness.

“It is shocking that the ICT manager who has been missing has been killed a few days to the election. The country demands  immediate answers on this matter, “Mr Ruto said in a statement to media houses.

Human Rights Watch called on the relevant authorities to urgently investigate the killing of Mr Msando.

“Kenyan authorities should urgently investigate the abduction and killing of Chris Msando, the acting information and communications technology manager at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” said Mr Otsieno Namwaya, Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Reports by Samwel Owino, Ruth Mbula and Lucy Mkanyika