By John Mutiso
The Government has denied that Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been arrested over the ongoing Malava by-election.
Kakamega County Commissioner Onesmas Kyatha said that he was not aware that Natembeya had been arrested.
He said that the alleged arrest of Natembeya has not been reported at any police station.
“The alleged arrest is outside the realm of the ongoing Malava by-election,” Kyatha said.
He also said that the government has no knowledge about the alleged assassination attempt on DAP-K candidate for Malava by-election Seth Panyako.
Kyatha said that the alleged attack on Panyako’s Hillview hotel was outside the election area and will be investigated fully.
He said that a team from Matete police station is already in place to investigate the alleged attack on Panyako.
He denied reports that police officers were protecting goons who were harassing voters.
Kyatha said that the police have not received reports that a vehicle had been burnt and does not know the owner.
Panyako broke into tears before casting his vote at St Joseph’s Lunyu primary school, claiming that he was the target of the hired goons who raided his hotel in Kaburengu junction in Lugari constituency.
Panyako blamed the attack on the government, saying that the whereabouts of his grandson, who was in the hotel during the attack remain unknown.
He claimed that he had reported incidents of voter bribery and other election malpractices, but neither the police nor IEBC had acted.
The alleged hired goons invaded Hillview hotel where Panyako and his team were planning how to protect their votes, and attacked people and destroyed property before fleeing.
Kyatha said that the government will deal with cases of insecurity without the status of those involved.
