NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul, 29 – The chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati has called on the Inspector General of police Hillary Mutyambai to arrest and launch investigations against individuals alleged to be ‘buying’ identify cards from Kenyans ahead of the polls.
The IEBC chairperson warned that the law will deal firmly with those found guilty of electoral offenses.
“There are some people who are going round in a few areas buying IDs from voters and that information we have passed to the inspector general of police and action will be taken on those individuals going round buying IDs from Kenyans who are registered,” said Chebukati.
IEBC and police have concluded a series of training commissioned since last year in order to enhance their preparedness ahead of the polls.
“We appeal to Kenyans, do not sell your ID, your right, and constitutional right to vote,”
Kenyans have meanwhile been urged to turn up in large numbers and vote ahead of the August,9 polls.
Some 150,000 officers will be deployed across the country during the August 9 polls, to ensure a safe environment as Kenyans cast their votes.
They will be placed under 1,115 Command level officers.
Of those, the police headquarters revealed will be officers drawn from the Kenya Wildlife Service, the National Youth Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and the Kenya Forest Service.
This comes at a period when intelligence reports have revealed that they were fears of politically linked criminal gangs being used to cause mayhem during elections.
Already the National Cohesion and Integration Commission has mapped out hotspot areas and singled out more than 20 Counties prone to violence.
On Thursday let week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiangi said more police officers will be deployed in areas with a high likelihood of experiencing gangs-driven violence and more in the Coast region.
To complement the efforts of the 150,000 officers, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai said, “there’s a provision of five Air set in strategic locations to provide logistical air support when and where required throughout the electioneering period.”
He revealed that the service has already finalized the Election Security Plan.
The plan, he said, will provide critical input to operation orders and deployment plans by respective commands for the General election.
“We have also established a National Election Security Command which is manned on a 24-hour basis and equipped to handle all situational analysis related to election security,” he said.
“It can be reached at Toll-free on 0779 756 616, 0779 756 615, 0779 756 617, and 0779 756 606.”
NPS said it has also mapped out all emergency and rescue equipment, both private and public owned, across the country in case a need arises.
All the officers involved in the exercise have been trained on electoral security.
He disclosed that the election security secretariat is conducting threat and risk analysis to identify threats to national security which in turn will inform resource deployment in real-time.
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