- The exercise being conducted electronically for the first time is done in phases.
- The devices are to be used during the election set to be conducted Friday in Nairobi, Narok, Homabay, Busia, and West Pokot.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has assured its members and participants of enough security ahead of planned grassroots elections.
UDA said all the necessary security arrangements had been put in place ahead of the election set to begin on Friday.
National Elections Board (NEB) chairperson Anthony Mwaura said at least two police officers will be deployed to man a polling centre.
Mwaura made the remarks on Sunday at the JKIA when he joined a team from the party led by Secretary General Cleophas Malala to receive a consignment of 5, 000 tablets.
“We have written to the Inspector General of police requesting him to provide us with security during the exercise and he has agreed to allocate two officers in each of the centers,” Mwaura said.
“Security will be adequate, we shall not condone any acts that breach peace,” Mwaura added.
He said other political outfits are also free to request for security during their elections exercises.
The devices received on Sunday will be used during the election set to be conducted on Friday in Nairobi, Narok, Homabay, Busia and West Pokot.
The exercise which is being conducted electronically for the first time will be done in phases.
Others present at JKIA include Executive Director Nicodemus Bore, party treasurer Japheth Nyakundi among NEB members and select party directors.
Elections in Isiolo and Garissa which were to be also held on Friday have been rescheduled in what Mwaura said was a request by aspirants from the region.
Malala stated that the preparations for the eagerly exercise are complete and that the tablets will be distributed to the polling clerks.
"The tablets that we have received here are going to be handed over straightaway to the NEB so that they can plan for the Friday's elections," Malala said.
He reassured party members that comprehensive measures have been implemented to ensure a transparent and fair process for all participants.
Malala emphasised that as a secretariat they have provided all the necessary support to the board.
"I am glad to report that we have a competent NEB which has put everything in terms of logistics and legal requirements in place by applying to the office of registrar of political parties," he stated.
Malala at the same time mentioned plans to import more devices for each of polling stations ahead of the exercise.
"We have procured one tablet per polling station, so we are looking at having 27,000 tablets for the whole exercise," he noted.
Nyakundi told the party members to come out in large numbers to vote for the people they want to lead them.
"These are the officials that will represent them at the grassroot level up to the national level," he stated.
He also urged them to observe peace throughout the exercise.
The second phase of the grassroots polls will be on June 22, 2024 and will be held in 13 counties.
These are Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Kisii, Bungoma, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Wajir, Tana River, Kwale and Marsabit.
The third phase will be held on August 10 across 15 counties of Kiambu, Embu, Kericho, Meru, Migori, Kakamega, Nyamira, Kitui, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Kajiado, Mandera, Kilifi, Murang’a and Lamu.
The last phase will take place on August 24, 2024 in 12 counties.
The counties to participate are Nakuru, Bomet, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nandi, Baringo, Turkana, Laikipia, Trans-Nzoia, Kisumu, Vihiga and Makueni.