IG Mutyambai Presides Over High-Level Security Meeting Amidst Ongoing Party Primaries

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr, 12 – Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai Tuesday presided over a high-level security meeting in Nairobi with the country’s regional police commanders in the wake of the ongoing political parties’ nomination exercise.

During the meeting, Mutyambai sought a status report from the commanders on the security situation across the country weeks after rolling out a well-orchestrated plan for this period. It was resolved that police would enforce the law and work with the political parties in order to maintain peace during the process.

Last week several incidences of violence were reported during the nomination exercise.

Concerns were meanwhile raised over the security and safety of female candidates, with security officers directed to prioritize their safety.

“I urge security chiefs to encourage political parties to work alongside the police to ensure their exercises are inclusive and successful …they should also respect party rules to avert conflicts that would lead to altercations,” said Mutyambai.

The team of Regional Police chiefs was led by the deputy inspector general of police Edward Mbugua accompanied by the Principal Assistant to the DIG-APS, James Akoru.

Also in attendance was the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu.

Earlier this month, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said a multi-agency security team had already mapped out potential flashpoints ahead of the nomination exercise.

The CS who was speaking at a consultative meeting with the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) said the special deployment plan would be executed alongside heightened surveillance of political activities and the crackdown on hate speech and incitement.

“We have our plans for ensuring the nominations, like any other election-related activity, are conducted in an environment of peace. We are continuously assessing the levels of vulnerability to security challenges during this season and adjusting our strategies accordingly,’ he said.

He expressed concerns with the prolonged political campaigns for exerting a heavy strain on the police and other security resources as more officers are being dedicated to dealing with campaign-related conflicts.

The CS challenged IEBC to strictly enforce the elections calendar, especially on the official campaign window saying protracted politicking was unhealthy for the national and families’ economy.

Inclusive debate on election laws and campaign financing rules, which should have regulated spending by politicians, is also encouraging violent conflicts on sharing of bribery money among mobilized crowds, the CS said.