With three days to the General Election, the national government has assured Kenyans of its commitment to ensure that the security of all Kenyans was guaranteed and that elections were conducted peacefully.
Various state agencies have completed the necessary preparations to facilitate the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to carry out a free and fair poll on Tuesday 9th August.
The Government Spokesperson Col. (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna said the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Innovation and Youth Affairs has rolled out reliable, efficient, and flexible ICT infrastructure for seamless communication support to the electoral process.
Additionally, the Ministry of Interior has heightened security measures across the nation with an aim of enhancing peace during the elections.
Oguna was speaking during a media briefing at the Nyanza Regional Commissioners’ (RC) office in Kisumu County on Friday.
At the same time, he urged the public to come out in large numbers on D-day to exercise their civic right by voting in their leaders of choice.
“In the spirit of patriotism to our motherland, let us all join hands together to prosecute for peace, and to do our patriotic duty by coming out in large numbers to vote wisely and peacefully.”
Speaking at the same event, The Nyanza RC Magu Mutindika said that through a multi-agency team, he had spearheaded the establishment of strategies aimed at ensuring sustained peace and mutual coexistence pre, during and post-election in the lakeside region.
“The security agencies have profiled four border hot spots within Kisumu and Nandi Counties where we adequately deployed specialized units to suppress the conflict triggers like cattle rustling,” said Mutindika.
Citing previous disruptions of the electoral process in the region by rowdy youth, the Commissioner revealed that the number of security personnel manning the police stations and the County tallying centres has been increased to uphold the integrity of the forthcoming elections.
“Requisite resources have also been mobilized to ensure timely and efficient deployment of officers to all polling stations,” he added.
Further, he assured the residents that the government has provided sufficient security to handle any emergency during the election period and urged them to disregard the incitements peddled by some politicians.
“I urge all voters to exercise their civic duty without fear to go out and vote. This is how we will ensure that the right leaders are elected to steer our country to further prosperity,” he reiterated.
By Robert Ojwang’ and Milton Obote
