The electoral agency has moved to reassure Kenyans that safety arrangements for today’s by-elections are fully in place, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission outlining a detailed security plan meant to protect voters from any form of interference.
In a statement, the IEBC said each polling station across the 22 affected areas will have at least two security officers on duty throughout the day.
The commission explained that these officers will be complemented by additional patrol teams and quick-response units to deal with any emerging situation, including attempts to disrupt voting.
“Voters are assured of a secure and peaceful environment and are urged to report any incidents through the appropriate security channels,” said IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon.
According to the commission, the goal is to ensure every voter is able to cast their ballot in a calm and orderly setting.
The IEBC said the National Police Service has deployed enough personnel not only to man the polling centres but also to guard tallying points and other key locations within the constituencies holding the by-elections.
The agency added that both urban and rural stations have been covered to make sure officers can respond quickly wherever they are required.
The security assurance came as Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen toured several electoral areas to inspect the readiness of security teams on the ground. Speaking in Kasipul, he cautioned individuals planning to create tension or disrupt voting, saying they will be handled the same way as other offenders.
He stressed that the presence of officers around polling areas is meant to protect citizens from intimidation.
“Our job as a government is to ensure voters are not intimidated, and when we succeed in intimidating the goons, we are very happy. When goons complain that the government is intimidating, it is my joy,” said the CS.
Murkomen said special attention has been given to groups that may hesitate to participate due to fear of violence.
“I want to ask women, persons with disability, and the aged who might be afraid of violence to know that we have put in place measures to guarantee their security,” he assured.
He further warned vehicle owners who hire out their cars for use in transporting groups intent on causing chaos, saying they will face consequences for aiding election disruption.
The government and the electoral body have maintained that these measures are meant to keep the process peaceful from the opening of polling stations to the tallying of results.
