NCIC embarks on process of mapping out ‘Hotspots’ ahead of 2022 polls

NAKURU,Kenya,July 29 – Kenya is fast approaching an electioneering period and weeks after interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i held a meeting with top security bosses across the country, affirming their readiness to ensure the polls are conducted in a secure environment, its all systems go.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has now embarked on the process of mapping out areas considered to be political hotspots as they seek to relay the relevant information to a multi-agency team.

Already, NCIC has raised concerns over the increasing number of hate speech across the country being spewed by politicians, warning citizens not to fall victims to their divisive tactics.

The process of mapping out hotspots NCIC has revealed will entail them reviewing previous records on areas admitted on the list, while at the same time conducting fresh exercises and sensitizing residents on the importance of peace.

“Apart from mapping out the sensitive areas that are affected by political violence, we have started to engage the youths so that they are not misused by the politicians,”  Said Director of programmes, NCIC Millicent Okatch.

Okatch while attending a consultative meeting with security, IEBC and leaders in Naivasha, said that the commission was ready to execute its mandate in order to avert chaos during the polls.

NCIC has meanwhile embarked on also devising ways to contain the spread of hate speech across social media platforms after it was cited as a potential gateway for sowing seeds of discord among Kenyans.

“Our mandate is to investigate politicians spewing out hate speech and handing over the evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions. All the hate speech has now been directed on social media platforms and we shall be working with other government agencies to stem this,” she said.

Naivasha deputy sub county commander Jared Marando said that security teams in the county have already identified potential hotspots in the county that bore the brunt of the violence during the 2007 polls.

“We have more police officers on the ground and we are ready to use prison officers in the patrols so that we don’t have a repeat of the post-election violence in this town,” he said.

The team from the NCIC is expected to tour other regions across the country.