A group of Nairobi women yesterday petitioned the government to ensure it is safe during Thursday’s fresh presidential election.
In a petition addressed to Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and the county police commander, the women said the government is obligated to ensure they exercise their democratic rights.
“We the ordinary women ‘Wanjiku’ living and working in various parts of Nairobi are deeply concerned about some serious threats issued by NASA politicians in relation to the forthcoming presidential repeat election,” reads the petition.
The women held a peaceful demonstration in parts of Nairobi before handing copy of the petition to Kamukunji, Pumwani and Embakasi police stations.
“What we are asking is that those of us who have decided to vote be provided with adequate security so that we are able to exercise our constitutional rights in a safe environment,” they said in their petition.
The women said they are in danger as some people have threatened to rape and hurt those who will turn out to vote.
They said police should be ready to arrest and charge any politician who threatens anyone or incites violence.
They said in previous electoral violence women from Mathare, Kibera, Kariobangi, Ruaraka, Embakasi, Dagoretti and Githurai suffered the most.
“This is why we are here as the women of Kenya asking the government to protect us by providing enough security personnel to guard us as we leave our homes on Thursday to go to our polling stations to vote for the President of our choice,” reads the statement.
They said Matiang’i should give a concrete plan on how he intents to protect those who will be willing to vote in Nairobi.