Police and other security agencies have been mobilized and strategically deployed ahead of political party primaries that 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 in the exercise that begins in two weeks’ time and that must be concluded by the 24th of April according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission timelines.
The CS who spoke Friday at a consultative meeting with the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) 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 election-related activity, are conducted in a peaceful environment. We are continuously assessing the levels of vulnerability to security challenges during this season and adjusting our strategies accordingly,” he said.
He expressed concerns with the prolonged political campaigns for exerting a heavy strain on the police and other security resources as more officers are being dedicated to dealing with campaign-related conflicts.
He challenged IEBC to strictly enforce the elections calendar, especially on official campaign window saying protracted politicking has an unhealthy impact on the national and families’ economy.
Inclusive debate on election laws and 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 in campaign mode for the past four years. What follows is violent confrontations arising from disagreements in sharing of campaign bribes. 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,” he said.
The IRCK through its chairperson, Rev. Father Joseph Mutie, sought appraisal on the security preparedness for the August polls and specifically the government plan against ethnic mobilization that is undermining cohesion, security and peace.
The council also sought the CS’ guarantee that police and other security agencies will uphold neutrality during the elections and that IEBC staff will be provided with adequate security.
Matiang’i said the government will meet IEBC security needs as requested by the Commission and challenged religious leaders to commit more efforts to peace and reconciliation efforts.
He said the curfew imposed in parts of Garissa County will be reviewed ahead of the Ramadhan period subject to the restoration of calm.
Further, Matiang’i said that the government is prioritizing inter-community peacebuilding initiatives to complement ongoing security operations in Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and other insecurity-prone areas.
In response to claims of extrajudicial killings, Matiang’i said the government has no policy supporting extrajudicial killings and dismissed claims of its involvement as unfounded and untrue.
The meeting was attended by Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and senior religious leaders.
