Isiolo County Commissioner Mr. Geoffrey Omoding has directed police to enforce law requiring all bar operators to observe the official business hours especially during the campaigns period ahead of the general election slated for August 9, this year.
Omoding said the pub owners who contravened the government’s stipulated business hours in the area should be arrested and prosecuted.
Bars across the country are supposed to open for six hours only between 5.00 pm and 11.00 pm on weekdays and open from 2.00 pm over the weekend and public holidays.
Speaking to journalists after chairing a closed door security intelligence meeting in his office, the CC said that bars should not be turned into political arenas since they may also turn out to be hot points for planning crimes related to election violence emanating from differing camps.
He warned politicians who have a habit of inciting young people to cause chaos that their days are numbered and called upon the youth to avoid being misused after being given handouts.
“The government will not spare politicians who incite youth to cause chaos in their opponents’ rallies and the security agents would be on the lookout to ensure the suspects are arrested and prosecuted,” Omoding said.
He said that security officers would be recording all rallies convened by politicians and warned them that they would be reprimanded for any irresponsible remarks and hate speech.
The County boss directed chiefs and other public servants to avoid participating in active politics and remain as neutral as possible during the campaign period and only wait to vote secretly on the balloting day.
The County Police Commander Mr. Hassan Barua said that politicians and their supporters should stop playing campaign songs past 6.00 pm warning that those contravening law will be prosecuted.
He added that his officers would be patrolling the urban centres and villages to ensure the area residents are not disturbed in their sleep and further urged wananchi to report culprits so that swift action could be taken against them.
Elsewhere, Isiolo Interfaith Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Sett has challenged the youth and women to be patriotic to the country and distance themselves from members of the society who organise conflicts with political or other interests’ rivals but instead report the ugly incidents to the authority.
Sett was accompanied by the organisation’s Secretary General, Bishop Stephen Kalunyu.
They appealed to boda boda raiders not to be misused during the rallies saying the government has enough officers both uniformed and civilians to monitor and respond to monkey tricks during the electioneering time.
Bishop Kalunyu said the Interfaith Group had agreed to support candidates who would preach peace before, during and after election saying no one has the right to shed another’s blood in the process of election.
By Abduba Mamo and David Nduro
