We'll not vote, 8,000 former IDPs threaten

Over 8,000 former internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nyeri have vowed to boycott voting if the electoral commission does not simplify the process of transferring a voter from one polling station to another.

The former IDPs living along the Nyeri-Laikipia border complained that they are being directed to Nanyuki to change their polling stations from Nyeri to Laikipia County after new boundaries were set mid last year.

However, according to the regional Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) John Mwangi, to transfer registration from one constituency to another, one only requires to visit the IEBC office in their constituency of choice and provide their details.

“No one has been blocked from transferring their vote to the location of their choice. The only requirement is to follow the laid out procedures,” said Mr Mwangi.

The changes led to over 15,000 people moved from Kieni constituency to Laikipia East.

Mr Ndung’u Wachira, an area resident lamented that they cannot afford to raise fare to Nanyuki noting that they are faced by many hardships especially hunger due to the prolonged drought.

Another resident, Ms Jane Wamuyu, said that many people might not vote due to the IEBC procedure.

Some residents, mostly of the Muslim faith, appealed to the government to issue them with Identification Cards saying that they are being discriminated having applied for the IDs more than a year ago.

According to Mr Mwangi 12, 000 new voters have been listed in the last five days.