The National Police Service has announced toll free emergency contacts to be used for reporting any incident during the polls season.
Police have set up the National Election Security Command Centre that is being manned by dedicated staff who are highly trained to handle all concerns in a professional manner, police headquarters said.
“The call-centre teams work closely with our field commanders for efficient coordination and response,” said police spokesman Bruno Shioso.
He added the numbers are open 24/7 to the public.
To report an emergency of any nature, the public is asked to call 911, 112, 999 and 0800 722 203.
To seek assistance or report a case of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, the public can call SGBV toll-free number 0800 730 999.
“To reach NPS - National Election Security Command Centre, call: 0779 756 616, 0779 756 615, 0779 756 617 and 0779 756 606,” Shioso said.
Police have dispatched up to 150,000 to various places plus back up teams for the polls.
The personnel will include special officers from partner security agencies such as Kenya Prisons Service, National Youth Service, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service. They will man each of the polling stations and tallying centres.
Others will be patrolling the streets.
Inspector General of police Hilary Mutyambai said the security personnel are under instructions to guarantee Kenyans safety as they go out to cast their votes and that all and sundry go about their activities without fear of crime or harm.
“Formed police units under the National Police Service have also been deployed across the country to offer tactical support to general duty officers before, during, and after the general elections,” he said.
According to the IG, the police will also deploy five air sets in strategic locations to provide logistical air support when and where required throughout the elections period.
He said the government has resourced the service adequately, especially with additional vehicles and operational equipment, to ensure seamless and continuous operations during and after the polls.
“Officers are well resources and in a high state of readiness to handle all forms of threats that may arise before, during, and after the general elections,” he said.
Mutyambai further disclosed that the election security secretariat is conducting threat and risk analysis to identify threats to national security which in turn will inform resource deployment in real-time.
“Such emerging threats shall be tackled promptly. I, therefore, would like to warn those hell-bent upon acts of criminality and lawlessness to desist,” he said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has said they are ready to help the IEBC deliver the polls. Police say they have developed elaborate security and intelligence strategy to ensure the elections are peaceful.
Some form of violence has accompanied almost every election in Kenya’s history, a pattern authorities want to end.
Areas deemed to be flashpoints for violence have been mapped and police will be ready to avert a repeat of 2007-08.
After the presidential result of the 2007 general election was disputed, violence erupted, leading to the death of more than 1,000 people.
Many others were displaced. An inquiry into the post-election violence pointed to the police as being ill-prepared, partisan and heavy-handed in trying to quell the chaos.
