More Police Officers Deployed To Coast Ahead Of Elections To Quell Threat Of Gangs

MOMBASA, Kenya, Jul 20- Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has directed that more police officers be deployed to the coast region to heighten security ahead of next month’s general election.

He said intelligence reports had flagged out politically-linked mobilization of gangs and other illegal groupings that could pose a security threat in at least two counties in the region.

The CS who was speaking after chairing a meeting of the Coast region security chiefs in Mombasa said the additional officers and more equipment are expected on the ground beginning next week.

“I have asked the regional security teams to raise up the level of security alertness to ensure that we facilitate effective participation in the general election. We are bringing up special additional resources to back up their work and planning,” he said.

He said the government is determined to ensure that peace will prevail in a region that has a history of election-related unrest and that it will crackdown on illegal gangs and the politicians sponsoring them.

“We have players in two counties that may be tempted to amass small groups that could engage in crime. My simple advice to them is not to try because we’re watching closely. I’ve asked the security team to act very decisively on any individual politician who tries to do that kind of a thing,” he said.

The CS who also officially opened the new Coast Region office complex for crime and counterterrorism investigation teams said the government will respect the rights of terror suspects under the ‘Mandela Rules’ even as it invests in more specialized crime facilities.

“We will respect the human rights of all suspects including terror suspects. Those held will be treated within the framework of human rights within our constitution and all the international conventions that we have signed as a country,” he said.

The British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott, was also present during the opening ceremony for the Sh81 million first Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) regional Headquarters and Mombasa Police Station which was funded by the British government.

“Defeating terrorism is a key priority in the UK-Kenya security partnership and today’s opening marks a key milestone in our joint efforts,” the High Commissioner said.

The complex with 26 rooms will provide a dedicated space for the ATPU to work on terrorism cases.

It will also allow the public to interact with the ATPU in a deliberate effort to create public awareness about its work and strengthen its relationship with the local community.

The building design has paid particular attention to compliance with human Human rights requirements such as the Mandela Rules and includes a secure detention facility with separate cells and private ablution amenities for men, women and children.

The ceremony was also attended by the Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai, regional police chiefs and representatives from the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC).