- A multi-agency security team has mapped out potential flashpoints in the nominations
- The special deployment plan will be executed alongside heightened surveillance of political activities and the crackdown on hate speech and incitement
Image: NPS
Top police bosses met yesterday to plan how they will secure the planned political parties nomination and the period after.
The meeting was convened in Nairobi by Inspector General of police Hilary Mutyambai. It was attended by all regional police commanders.
Insiders said Mutyambai and top commanders at Jogoo House, the headquarters of National Police Service, wanted to hear plans of securing the polls by the regional police chiefs.
Each of the commanders presented their plans and gave demands in terms of financial and personnel needs for the next period ahead of the August 9 general election.
From the demands, the IG will be able to plan and allocate the needed resources for smooth running of the period.
“We met to discuss the political campaigns and other issues affecting the country at large. We are ready,” said an insider who asked not to be named.
Those in attendance included deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Edward Mbugua, his Administration Police counterpart Noor Gabow and heads of departments.
The regional commanders include James Mugera (Nairobi), Manase Musyoka (Central), Peris Muthoni (Western), Rono Bunei (Eastern), George Sedah (Northeastern), Tom Odero (Rift Valley), Karanja Muiruri (Nyanza) and Titus Karuri (Coast).
It was agreed that more officers be mobilised to various perceived hotspots to tame any form of hooliganism.
There are fears of chaos during the nominations.
Police and other security agencies have been mobilised and strategically deployed ahead of party primaries, which are expected to be hotly contested in some regions.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said a multi-agency security team had already mapped out potential flashpoints during primaries.
The nominations must be concluded by April 24, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission timeline.
Matiang'i said the special deployment plan will be executed alongside heightened surveillance of political activities and the crackdown on hate speech and incitement.
“We have our plans for ensuring the nominations, like any other elections-related activity, is conducted in an environment of peace,"the CS said.
"We are continuously assessing the levels of vulnerability to security challenges during this season and adjusting our strategies accordingly.”
He expressed concerns with the prolonged political campaigns for exerting a heavy strain on the police and other security resources.
More officers are being dedicated to dealing with campaign-related conflicts.
He challenged the IEBC to strictly enforce the elections calendar, especially on official campaign window, saying protracted politicking was unhealthy to national and families’ economy.
Campaign financing rules, which should have regulated spending by politicians, is also encouraging violent conflicts on sharing of bribery money among mobilised crowds, the CS said.
“We have been on campaign mode in the past four years. What follows is violent confrontations arising from disagreements in sharing of campaign bribes," Matiang'i said.
"We have had to commit more resources into managing charged crowds and containing the resultant clashes, and this has strained the resources we have at our disposal.”
Matiang’i said the government will meet IEBC's security needs as requested by the commission and challenged religious leaders to commit more efforts to peace and reconciliation.
(Edited by Francis Wadegu)