Interior PS Raymond Omollo has assured that security will be heightened during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Bungoma this year.
During last year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, four women died while 13 people were injured following a stampede at the Kericho Green Stadium.
Speaking at Masinde Muliro stadium in Bungoma on Thursday during an inspection on the ongoing construction of the stadium, PS Omollo said security will be beefed up to guide the public to avoid a repeat of a similar incident.
“We had a very unfortunate event in Kericho. There was a stampede and of course, we have to ask ourselves what might have gone wrong. We would never want a repeat of such an incident to happen in Bungoma or any part of this country,” Omollo said.
The PS added that the problem with Madaraka Day particularly when it is done outside Nairobi where most of the national celebrations happen, there is always excitement and a lot of interest by the locals to want to be part of it.
“What we are going to do differently this time around is that the stadium will be made accessible much earlier than we have done in previous events so that no crowds form outside the stadium,” he said.
Omollo said his department is working closely with the local leaders to ensure the celebrations are fulfilled.
He said the state is on course to complete the construction of the state lodge where the President will spend time after the celebrations.
“We are also improving electricity connection in Bungoma, water supply, rehabilitating Matulo airstrip and roads network,” he told the media.
In his response to the farmers’ outcry over the shortage of fertiliser at Bungoma NCPB silos, Omollo affirmed that the government is determined to ensure NCPB depots are stocked.
The PS said farmers’ registration is ongoing to ensure they have access to subsidy fertiliser.
Omollo’s comment was reiterated by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka who said there was a breakdown of the ship that was bringing in subsided fertiliser, affirming that the problem has been sorted.
“The CoG in the Agriculture committee raised the issue with the managing director of the NCPB and he has assured that subsidy fertiliser will be landing in Bungoma,” Lusaka said.
