An official from Smartmatic International B.V, the company contracted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), was arrested on Thursday at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The arrest followed his inability to explain how he was delivering sensitive election materials contrary to security and government protocol.
However, the commission’s boss Wafula Chebukati termed the arrest as unjustified intimidation, harassment, and blackmail adding that the commission has a legal contract with Smartmatic International B.V, and it is unclear why the police detained its officials.
Chebukati is now demanding an immediate release of the foreigner.
“The commission has a valid legal contract executed between itself and Smartmatic International BV for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS).”
“The commission demands the immediate release of the employee of Smartmatic International BV,” Chebukati in a statement.
Reports from security indicate that the three were found with several rolls of election-related stickers in their luggage upon landing at JKIA.
Bruno Shioso Police Spokesman, on the other hand, said the arrest was made following a lack of clear communication from the electoral agency even though it s an independent agency, they never disclosed to the security how the cargo was to arrive in the country.
IEBC Chairman warned that their detention could interfere with preparations for the polls which are 17 days away.
“The commission wishes to inform the public that the arrest and continued holding of the personnel have the inevitable effect of hampering the deployment of technology in the forthcoming general election, the statement read.