The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), officially, security organs and other stakeholders in Isiolo County, are all set for next week’s General Election.
Isiolo security players have fully operationalized the Isiolo Joint Operations Command Centre (JOCC), to help handle any electoral violence and other security threats, during and after the election.
The County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding assured voters and the aspirants for various political positions of adequate security during and after elections and urged the local people to swiftly report any security threat to the command centre for quick response to be taken.
Omoding said that all security personnel are on standby and assured the area people that nobody, will interfere with the election at polling stations.
He said that the government stands firm in its duty to protect elections, wananchi and their property.
Omoding warned politicians to keep to the pledges of keeping peace during and after the General Election, saying the government would not spare those who would be out to cause chaos.
Isiolo Peace Link Organization’s Executive Director, Ms. Abdia Muhamud, said the recent upgrades at the center have been formulated in a timely fashion as we near the election date.
A toll-free number has been established at the center to help residents promptly report cases of violence and promote early warning mechanisms that will help to avoid any forms of violence.
The Deputy Sub-County Police Commander, Mr. Felix Muli, who is the Officer-In-Charge at the Command Center, said that the residents should work together, not only to report issues that were conflict-related, but to also report Gender-Based Violence-related issues.
The IEBC County Returning Officer, Mr. Samuel Sekii, said there are 89,504 area residents who are expected to vote on, Tuesday, August 9, 2022 in the existing two constituencies. Isiolo South Constituency has 22,181, while Isiolo North has 67,323 registered voters.
He said that training of the election officials across the County had been conducted, including the six Polling Clerks, Presiding Officers and their Deputies, who will be stationed at the Polling Centres.
Sekii said that all the election materials have been received, adding the presidential ballot papers were received on Saturday, August 06, 2022, while those of other representation were received on Thursday this week.
There are three gubernatorial candidates facing off in the gubernatorial race, including the immediate Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader, Abdi Ibrahim Guyo aka Kayole of Jubilee Party, the former Isiolo Governor, Godana Doyo (Independent Candidate) and former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission CEO, Halakhe Dida Wako of ODM. The sitting Governor, Dr. Mohamed Kuti, bowed out, citing health problems.
Senatorial seat has attracted the incumbent, Fatuma Dullo, who is the Deputy Majority Leader (Jubilee Party), Nur Ibrahim (Independent), the immediate Isiolo County Assembly Speaker, Hussein Roba and little known Ahmed Adan.
Women Rep candidates are the incumbent Ms. Rehema Jaldesa, and the former Education Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Ms. Mumina Bonaya among others.
Isiolo North Parliamentary seat has attracted 13 candidates where the sitting MP Hassan Odha faces former area MP Joseph Samal and Mwenda Thuranira and former Equity Bank Manager, Abdi Godana among others.
In Isiolo South seat, the former Isiolo County Assembly speaker Mohamed Tupi of Jubilee Party is vying alongside the sitting MP Abdi Koropu, and former area MP Abdullahi Banticha.
By David Nduro and Abduba Mamo
