CS Murkomen, while addressing the police in Bungoma on Wednesday, ahead of the mini polls./HANDOUT
Hundreds of police officers have been mobilised and sent to areas where elections got underway on Thursday.
The mini polls are meant to enable locals to elect their leaders for the next one and a half years.This followed deaths, the nullification of earlier polls, or resignations.
The National Police Service (NPS) headquarters said the exercise had kicked off well in all places.
More police officers were mobilised from areas without elections and sent to the 22 polling stations to beef up security.
NPS Spokesman Muchiri Nyaga said the service emphasised its constitutional mandate to protect life and property, prevent and detect crime, and uphold public safety while respecting human rights and the rule of law.
Nyaga said the NPS is working closely with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in accordance with the law to ensure adequate security before, during, and after the polls.
There were reports of violence on Wednesday night in parts of Narok and Kakamega ahead of the polls, police said, adding that at least two people were injured in both cases.
IEBC assured Kenyans of heightened security during the 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 constituencies holding by-elections.
This includes both urban and rural polling points, ensuring comprehensive coverage and rapid intervention capabilities.
Earlier, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen conducted an assessment of the security situation in various electoral areas.
He was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Eliud Lagat, and his Administration Police counterpart Gilbert Masengeli.
Murkomen warned that anybody 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 thugs will be held accountable.
Police called on all political actors to conduct their campaigns within the confines of the law, warning leaders against issuing incitement, hate speech, or statements that could undermine public confidence in state institutions.
Political leaders were further encouraged to cooperate with electoral officials to ensure a credible process.
Nyaga stressed that the law will be applied uniformly to all, regardless of social status or political affiliation.
He said any individual who engages in or incites unlawful activities will face legal consequences, noting that police officers have been instructed to act professionally and respect the rights of all persons.
The NPS also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities through its toll-free emergency numbers—999, 911, and 112—or anonymously via #FichuaKwaDci on 0800 722 203 and WhatsApp 0709 570 000.
