Deny men sex if they don’t register with IEBC to vote - Nyeri MP

Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi has called on women to deny men conjugal rights and food until they register as voters.

Ms Murugi, who has been in the limelight in the past for making controversial statements, has also asked pastors not to allow followers in their churches unless they produce their national identity cards and the voters cards.

“As women, we have decided that our husbands and sons will not also get food until they register as voters,” she said.

Women who do not get listed should also not be given money to buy food or for any other use, the MP added.

Ms Murugi said those who fail to get listed should also be denied basic services in public institutions.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has launched mass voter registration ahead of next year’s General Election.

In central Kenya, the IEBC is hoping to register 253,548 in Kirinyaga, Nyeri and Nyandarua counties. However, so far, only 15,487, or six per cent of the target, have been registered.

And Ms Murugi said local leaders are making every effort to ensure as many people as possible as listed.

“In Nyanza, people are very serious about this exercise to an extent that they don’t allow those who don’t have IDs and voters card to attend public ceremonies, including burials and weddings,” she said.

Other leaders have organised football tournaments in their areas to reach out to youth to register. They include Kieni MP Kanini Kega, who started a football tournament at Naromoru Stadium on Sunday that saw 66 youths register as new voters.

Mr Kega also said those who do not have voter cards should not be allowed to access services from public offices.

NO RIGHT TO FORCE ANYONE
However, the IEBC has challenged the proposal to deny basic services to those who fail to register, saying it is a violation of the Constitution.

Speaking in Nyeri on Monday, IEBC commissioner Muthoni Wangai said: “Nobody has a right to force anyone to vote or register as a voter.”

Last week, Dagoreti MP Dennis Waweru said there should be a way to punish those who fail to register as voters.

“I think it is time that we came up with a law that will punish such people,” Mr Waweru said.