The Democratic Party (DP) delegates’ conference descended into chaos early Monday morning after armed officers from the Police Field Force Unit (FFU), accompanied by musclemen known locally as “kanyamas,” forcibly relocated the tally center during vote counting. The dramatic events unfolded around 5:30am, just thirty minutes into the counting process, when presiding officer Kennedy Mutenyo announced via microphone that the tally center would be moved due to the tent owners’ demand to dismantle the tent.
The announcement triggered immediate outrage among delegates, many of whom accused the party leadership of orchestrating the move to rig the election. “We know this is being done on orders of Norbert Mao. They want to rig this election. We will not allow this!” one delegate shouted, echoing the sentiments of many present.
Despite loud protests, Mutenyo’s team, under heavy police escort, proceeded to relocate the ballot boxes—containing already-cast votes—to the nearby Asamar Country Hotel. Delegates and agents were left behind, visibly frustrated and blocked from following the ballots. Video evidence shows kanyamas whisking away ballot boxes into hotel rooms, while journalists and delegates were barred from entry as security cordoned off the new venue.
The situation escalated when security personnel aggressively pushed delegates from the area, resulting in at least one woman sustaining injuries. As of now, ballot counting is ongoing behind closed doors, with results still pending. The voting had begun Sunday at 6:30pm and ended at 3am, with counting commencing two hours later. Tensions were already high, with allegations of manipulation and the unexplained removal of some members from candidate lists for key party positions.