The National Government has created six new Sub-Counties in Coast Region as part of measures to take services closer to the people.
Coast Regional Commissioner (RC), John Elungata, disclosed that Kwale, Kilifi and Tana River Counties each received two new administrative units for enhanced service delivery, to the people.
Elungata identified the new units as Chonyi, Kauma (Kilifi), Samburu, Shimba Hills (Kwale) and Bangale and Galledyetu in Tana River.
“The new units will help bring government services closer to wananchi and also improve security at the grassroots,” said Elungata when he addressed Senior Police Officers, National Government Administrative Officers drawn from Mombasa, Kilifi, Taita-Taveta and Kwale counties.
The meeting which took place at Sheikh Zayed Hall in Mombasa, was convened to discuss security issues, as the country is heading towards a General Election next month.
Elungata said the multi-agency security team will put in place elaborate measures before, during and after the elections to ensure the safety of all Kenyans.
“Security personnel will deal firmly with hired criminal gangs and other groups out to disrupt the elections,” added the Regional Commissioner.
He identified Changamwe, Malindi, Chonyi and Kipini as among election hotspots that will require more security deployment, to quell any form of violence.
Elungata said the government is committed to enhance peace and unity and ensure a peaceful electoral process and urged Kenyans to desist from activities that will bring violence during the elections.
He cautioned politicians against taking actions or making utterances that would incite their supporters and risk stoking violence in the build-up to the forthcoming general polls.
The senior administrator asked security personnel to be on the lookout against those promoting hate speech in political rallies and on social media.
The Regional Commissioner called on politicians to conduct peaceful campaigns in the countdown to the August 9 General Elections, in a bid to safeguard the peace and unity of the country.
Elungata challenged those running for various elective seats, to avoid politics of insults and attacks on personalities, but rather do campaigns that address issues, which would bring progress to the people.
He urged politicians to advocate for peace as they go round campaigning and avoid activities and behaviors that may create conflict and tension among different communities.
Elungata who was flanked by Mombasa County Commissioner, John Otieno and Deputy Regional Police Commander, Peter Njeru, said as the politicians increase their vote hunt, they should ensure that peace continues to reign in the region.
He appealed to the local politicians and their followers, to play politics with decorum and not to see the forthcoming General Election, as a matter of life and death.
By Mohamed Hassan
