•More security officers have been recruited, equipment procured and deployed to beef up security while election-specific training is ongoing,” Matiang'i said.
•The National Multi-Agency Command Centre on election security has been activated and the reorganisation and realignment of security teams undertaken.
Image: FILE
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said the state is ready to facilitate the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission deliver credible polls.
The government has rolled critical election management reference materials to secure the August election.
They include the election management security plan, the standards operating procedures for peace and security, the election security management manual and the guide to election security training manuals.
They have been developed and distributed to the relevant teams.
“More security officers have been recruited, equipment procured and deployed to beef up security while election-specific training is ongoing,” Matiang'i said.
“The National Multi-Agency Command Centre on election security has been activated and the reorganisation and realignment of security teams undertaken.”
He spoke on Monday during a briefing between the National Development Implementation Coordination and Communication Committee and development partners from various foreign countries.
There is also continuous mapping and counter-strategies on election-related security challenges including hate crime, cyber and computer misuse, terrorism, livestock rustling and drought are being undertaken.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has intensified activities across the country to promote peaceful electioneering and to foster intercommunity coexistences.
“The NCIC has enhanced monitoring and crackdown on hate crime related to campaigns and 51 cases are currently under investigation,” the CS said.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of police Hilary Mutyambai has reshuffled three senior commanders.
The new Coast regional police commander is Titus Karuri who was moved from Central swapping positions with Musyoki Manase.
The new Rift Valley police commander is Tom Odero who had been serving at the National Counter Terrorism Centre and who swapped positions with Fredrick Ochieng.
Former Nairobi police boss Augustine Nthumbi was moved to police headquarters Vigilance House as a liaison officer.
The acting police boss for Nairobi is James Mugera.
The changes were announced on March 18.
Police headquarters said the changes were normal and aimed at boosting operations ahead of the polls.
More than 400 police officers who have been serving under the Anti Stock Theft Unit have been moved to the general duties.
Most of the affected officers have been serving at the ASTU for more than 20 years. ASTU is under the Administration Police Service.
Most personnel from the General Service Unit and ASTU are usually redeployed to the general duties of Kenya Police after serving for some time.
Police are key in managing elections at large.
In the National Government Administration Officers, six county commissioners were reshuffled in the latest changes announced by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho.
The six include Jim Nyaga Njoka, Muhumed Mohamed Barre, Wilson Opwora Wanyanga, Joshua Muriungi Nkanatha, Abdulla Galgalo Hiddi and Moses Mutunga Ivuto.
Njoka was transferred from Kirinyaga to Siaya while Barre was posted to Nyeri from Siaya. Wanyanga and Nkanatha were moved from Kiambu and Kajiado.
Ivuto was promoted from senior deputy county commissioner 1, in Kirinyaga West subcounty to county commissioner in the county.
Rugino Mungania moved from Murang’a South subcounty to North Eastern as the regional commissioner’s assistant.
Kenneth Murungi who was the Nairobi regional commissioner’s assistant was transferred to Murang’a South as a deputy county commissioner.
John Mbugua (Kirinyaga West), Damaris Kimondo (Gatanga), Mary Mwangi (Imenti South), Abraham Laikera (Teso North), Geofrey Njuguna (Aberdares), while Flavia Akumu (Sabatia).
The development comes almost a month after Kibicho announced the reshuffling of 132 deputy county commissioners.
The officials are key in running government affairs in the regions, counties and subcounties.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris