Gichugu Constituency Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Returning Officer Geoffrey Gitobu, who died in Nanyuki town on August 22, was on Wednesday buried at his home in Marurui village, Buuri East Sub-County, Meru.

The burial was attended by IEBC employees mainly from Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Kirinyaga counties.

During the ceremony, some IEBC employees said being an employee of the commission was one of the most dangerous jobs, saying many officers die in mysterious circumstances during elections.

The 57-year-old Gitobu died after a short illness. He checked into a clinic when he fell dizzy while he and his brother were driving in the town.

Medics at the clinic, however, called an ambulance when his condition worsened.

He was transferred to a private hospital in the town but was declared dead on arrival.

An autopsy revealed he died of a heart attack which was caused by a blood clot in the pulmonary vein.

Pathologists ruled out foul play in the sudden death.

Meru Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma, who attended the burial, asked political players to accept the outcome of the elections.

“I am today calling on political players not to beat up or in any way intimidate the referee when they lose the contest,” said Mutuma.

Kirinyaga Senator-elect James Murango, who led a delegation from the county, said the government should protect IEBC officers.

“The President should know that he is a product of this commission and as a result, he should ensure that the commission’s staff are secure from threats and intimidations from rogue political players,” said Murango.