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Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials yesterday petitioned Parliament and other State agencies to stop the killings, intimidation and harassment of their colleagues.

The Returning Officers charged that their lives matter and should be protected from criminals who have intimidated, harassed and in some cases physically assaulted them in the line of duty.

Yesterday, the poll officials called on Parliament, the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) and the security agencies to ensure their safety and security during and after the polls.

The officials led by Westlands Constituency Returning Officer Muthee Gakuru said that if an election should lead to a loss of life then it is not worth it.

“We the Returning Officers and all the election officials of IEBC hereby make this petition to parliament, the IG, the NCIC, ODPP and all other State organs. If an election has caused any life, then it is not worth being called an election. We are calling the country to maintain the peace; we are already enjoying and expect that all the procedures are going to be followed to a peaceful conclusion,” said Gakuru in a statement.

According to Gakuru, only a handful of Returning Officers turned up for the peaceful protest from the Anniversary Towers because the majority of them are feeling intimidated and are afraid to come to the public. He said that their working environment has become very toxic, adding that as much as elections are important, they should not cost their lives.

“The people you see here are the ones who have agreed to come but the majority are feeling intimidated. We pray that we be accorded the necessary security and support. IEBC officials are committed to ensuring that the voice of the voter is heard,” said Gakuru.

He went on: “The fear for lack of safety, security and loss of lives is real among the IEBC officials. There are known cases of disappearances and subsequent death. Is this the way to go? As a country, we need to revive our moral fabric, and come back to our senses.”

Another Returning Officer Beatrice Saki said that the peaceful protest is in response to the brutal murder of the late Daniel Musyoka and the passing on of Gichugu Constituency Returning Officer Geoffrey Gitobu.

Although the Police have ruled out any foul play into the demise of Gitobu, Saki said the deaths of the two officials has sent shivers on other poll officials.