Nairobi Regional Commissioner (RC) Kang’ethe Thuku has assured Nairobi residents of their safety during and after the August 9 general elections.
Thuku said the Nairobi Regional Security Committee has put in place measures that will ensure voting, counting and tallying exercise will be conducted in peaceful manner, where members of the public will be able to wake up and cast their votes uninterrupted and return to their homes to do their chores.
“Our mandate as security is to deliver a peaceful election for the sake of free and fair elections. We want to have a peaceful environment where our mothers and old people will be able to go to voting centres to cast their votes,” he stated.
The RC who was flanked by the Nairobi County Commissioner Flora Mworoa, Nairobi Regional Police Commander James Mugera and other members of the security committee was speaking today during a press briefing on Nairobi Region Election Preparedness at his Nyayo House office.
Thuku who announced that the security team has already identified areas where problems may be encountered during elections noted that the team has removed all impediments that might hamper elections, and cautioned those who have intentions of disrupting voters not to try since security officers will be all over the city.
He said to avoid any problems during and after elections, the security team will deploy adequate police officers in all the polling stations, polling centres, 17 tallying centres and the entire city to safeguard the residents and their property.
“We have 36 to 43 polling stations and 2493 polling centres where we will deploy at least two police officers per station. The police officers have been taken on the protocols that they are supposed to do,” said the RC.
He at the same time noted that the county will also have specialised units that will provide security in case there is need of reinforcement during the election period, adding that the 11 Sub- counties within Nairobi will also have security committees that will have stand by teams.
Thuku who stressed that every Kenyan has a democratic right to vote, assured Nairobians who registered to vote in their rural homes not to worry as public service vehicles will operate normally during and after elections.
“This will be a normal day, people will go about their businesses, transport will flow normally, water will flow as normal, electricity will be available and traders will supply food in the markets,” he added.
The RC at the same time stated that the security team has conducted multiple peace meetings with Nyumba Kumi and non-governmental organisations to socialise people to be ambassadors of peace during this electioneering period.
By Francis Hwaga
