Economy

Probe of Safaricom staff rigging claim on

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Safaricom chief executive Bob Collymore during a press conference at the telco’s head office on October 4, 2017. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NMG

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko has ordered a criminal investigation of six Safaricom employees for allegedly conspiring with election officials to rig the nullified August 8 presidential poll.

Mr Tobiko, in a letter, ordered the Criminal Investigations Directorate boss Ndegwa Muhoro to complete his investigation into the employees and Jubilee Party’s chief presidential agent, Mr Davies Chirchir, within 21 days.

Mr Tobiko said he had assigned a senior team of prosecutors to assist the investigation.

The Supreme Court annulled President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election on September 1, citing irregularities and illegalities in the transmission of results, and ordered another election within 60 days.

A repeat poll is set for October 26.

“Undertake through, comprehensive and expeditious investigations ...,” said Mr Tobiko.

In a September 29 letter, the opposition Nasa gave the DPP 72 hours to investigate and bring criminal charges against Mr Chirchir and the six for failing to alert authorities about illegal activities during the electronic transmission of results.

Wednesday, Safaricom said it will not pull out of the transmission deal.

“Am I going to be intimidated away from playing a role in the upcoming elections? No. Safaricom does not find itself intimidated by anyone or anything,” said Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore in a Press briefing.

“We believe we have a role to play together with the other mobile operators.”

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