Kenyans holds memorial service for murdered election official

August 17, 2017
Report Focus - Kenyans held a memorial service for Christopher Msando (File Picture)
Report Focus - Kenyans held a memorial service for Christopher Msando (File Picture)

Kenyans held a memorial service for Christopher Msando, with speakers demanding justice.

Msando was in charge of the electronic voting system and technology to prevent voter fraud. His body was found days before the Aug. 8 election. An autopsy showed signs of torture before he was strangled.

“We as a family believe that Chris died because of his job. He died because of the work he was doing,” Msando’s sister Pamela said.

Msando’s widow, Eva Buyu, told the memorial service that “Chris’s death will not go in vain.”

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has claimed that hackers used Msando’s identity to infiltrate the election commission database and manipulate results in favor of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The commission says there was a hacking attempt but it was not successful.

Police have said they have arrested one suspect in connection to Msando’s murder.

Director of Criminal Investigations Ndegwa Muhoro said the suspect is believed to have crucial information about the murder. Muhoro said the suspect was aiding police with investigations and police have asked a court for more time to hold the suspect in custody.

Kenya’s government has declined an offer by the British and U.S. governments to assist with investigations into the murder.