Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen has assured Kenyans that security has been enhanced in all areas where by-elections are being held.
He said the government has deployed heavy police presence in areas where police have received intelligence information that some organized groups were planning to disrupt or interfere with votes that will have already been cast before the final tallying.
Murkomen, who was speaking today at Malava KMTC after holding a meeting with top security officers from Kakamega County ahead of the upcoming Malava by-election, expressed concern that some VIP’s have misused the security officers attached to them.
“Some are being attached with goons, putting the security of the citizens and the electoral officials lives in danger”, he cautioned.
The CS said the National Police Service (NPS) has carried out investigations which have implicated some of the officers and who have been summoned to provide more information and explain why they are allegedly in tha midst of meetings where violence is being planned.
“There has been a hue and cry from some these leaders whose security has been called to provide more information and if they are found culpable disciplinary action will be taken against them”, he warned
This comes under the backdrop of complaints from the Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Kakamega Senator Dr. Bonny Khalawale that their security detail has been withdrawn by the government without proper explanation, saying this has put their lives in danger.
“We want to assure all law-abiding citizens including leaders that their security is guaranteed but when you are engaging in violence, the law will take its course. We will take you before a court of law and serve the severest charge against you particularly when you are causing fear and intimidation”, he warned.
Murkomen, who was accompanied by Principal Secretary interior Raymond Omollo (on his right) and top security chiefs, Eliud Lagat (extreme right, Deputy Inspector General, National Police Service (NPS) and Gilbert Masengeli (left) DIG, Administration Police Service urged Kenyans to come out in large numbers adding that the enhanced security personnel are only meant to ensure their security and not to cause fear or intimidation.
by George Kaiga
