Kenya's upcoming election sparking fears of violence

World
Europe

The murder of a top Kenyan election official, just days before the general election on Thursday has raised concern over violence like the one during the 2007 vote that left 1,000 people dead.

Chirs Msando, the victim, is the head of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (ICT). He led the department responsible for voter identification and result-transmission as he had the electoral commission's computer system passwords and knew the exact location of the servers to run the election.

During demonstrations led by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD's) opposition party leader Raila Odinga, protesters burn tyres on June 06, 2016 in Kisumu. /AFP Photo

His body was identified Monday at a city morgue alongside a female student, thought to be that of his companion Carol Ngumbu, and the autopsy report revealed that Msando was tortured and then strangled to death.

Government spokesperson Eric Kiraithe confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing, dismissing earlier reports that three suspects had been arrested.

Meanwhile, the tension increases as Al-Shabab, the armed rebel group based in Kenya's neighbor Somalia, has threatened to disrupt Kenya's elections.

File photo: Kenya's presidential candidates, Uhuru Kenyatta (L) and Raila Odinga (C), attend a prayer meeting on February 24, 2013 in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. /AFP Photo

In recent weeks, Al-Shabab has stepped up attacks in the Kenyan border counties of Lamu and Mandera. Kenya officials on Wednesday said three people have been killed in Lamu after suspected al-Shabab fighters opened fire on a passenger bus.

To cope with the present tense situation, Kenya's security forces on Wednesday announced plans to heighten surveillance in case of any incidents that may damage peace and stability in the country.

The Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet is still confident the upcoming polls will not disrupt the country's peace.

He said on Wednesday, "We have been reviewing the security situation in the country and have so far not detected significant threats. We are satisfied by security measures set by regional commanders as the country prepare for elections."

Kenya's National Super Alliance (NASA) opposition leader arrives for a presidential debate in Nairobi on July 24, 2017. /AFP Photo

The results of the election are yet to be announced. President Uhuru Kenyatta and his top challenger Raila Odinga both retain real hope of winning. The latest poll shows Kenyatta only holds one percentage point more than Odinga.

William Mark, who served as the US ambassador to Kenya between 2003 and 2006, said a close election just increases the risk of instability. As technical difficulties exist inevitably, some voters will question the credibility of the election. Msando's death is an example of how dangerous the situation is.

File phto: Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga gestures during an interview on July 15, 2014 at his office in Nairobi. /AFP Photo

In the aftermath of Mwai Kibaki's win in the 2007 elections, Odinga's supporters took the streets and clashed with Kibaki's supporters. Other ethnic groups also picked their sides to join the chaos resulting in ethnic violence.

9224km