Residents of Trans Nzoia County have been assured of maximum security during this electioneering season.
County Commissioner (CC) Mr. Samson Ojwang made the reassurance yesterday morning in a brief with Kenya News Agency (KNA) at his office in Kitale town.
“I want to assure residents of Trans Nzoia County, which is largely cosmopolitan, that the government has put in place adequate measures aimed at beefing up security during this electioneering period,” stated Ojwang.
According to the CC, the county security team had already mapped the entire region and was prepared to handle this year’s general election.
“As the election cycle enters into the official campaign period next week, the county security team, which I chair, has deployed adequate police officers who will be in charge of enforcing and maintaining law and order,” he disclosed.
Ojwang cautioned aspirants for various elective seats in the county against committing election offences.
He cited use of incitement language, destruction of public and private property and engaging supporters into any form of violence as some of the criminal actions the security agents would not tolerate.
The county administrator appealed to the politicians to instead engage in peaceful campaigns using their blueprints and allow voters to make informed decisions.
“Our politicians and the electorate must be aware that it is chaotic campaigns marked by violence that end up producing undesired leaders,” he observed.
He said security agencies in the county would work closely with the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission to ensure the region maintains prevailing peace before, during and after the upcoming August national polls.
Trans Nzoia County has five sub-counties which are further subdivided into 25 electoral wards, with Cherengany and Kiminini sub-counties having seven wards each followed by Saboti (five), Kwanza (four) and Endebess (three).
Thus, besides casting ballots for the President, Governor, Senator, Members of Parliament and County Women Representative on 9th August, the electorates in the county will also make leadership decisions for Members of County Assembly from a crowded list of aspirants.
By Maurice Aluda
