The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has assured Kenyans of heightened security during Thursday’s by-elections.
According to the commission, every polling station in the 22 by-election areas will have a minimum of two security officers on duty.
Additional security teams will also be conducting patrols and providing rapid response where necessary.
“Voters are assured of a secure and peaceful environment and are urged to report any incidents through the appropriate security channels,” said IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon in a statement.
The Commission said the move is aimed at guaranteeing a secure, peaceful, and orderly environment for voters to exercise their democratic right.
Working closely with the National Police Service, the IEBC said it has deployed adequate security personnel not only at polling stations but also at tallying centres and other strategic locations across the constituencies holding by-elections.
This includes both urban and rural polling points, ensuring comprehensive coverage and rapid intervention capabilities.
Earlier on, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen conducted an assessment of the security situation in various electoral areas.
In his address at Kasipul, Murkomen warned that anybody who will be found loitering and trying to interfere with elections will be treated as a suspect “like other suspects.”
The presence of security officers at the voting areas, he said, will be to ensure that voters are not intimidated.
"Our job as a government is to ensure voters are not intimidated, and when we succeed in intimidating the goons, we are very happy. When goons complain that the government is intimidating, it is my joy,” said the CS.
He added that security agencies have put in place measures to ensure peaceful participation by all, including vulnerable groups who often fear violence during elections.
“I want to ask women, persons with disability, and the aged who might be afraid of violence to know that we have put in place measures to guarantee their security,” he assured.
Murkomen also said vehicle owners whose cars are hired to ferry hired thugs will be held accountable.
“Owners of vehicles hired to ferry goons will also face the law because they are enablers,” he stated.
