Government beefs up security ahead of party primaries
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’I says that security has been beefed up ahead of political party nominations.
Speaking at a meeting with the Interfaith Council on the Security arrangements ahead of the August 9 polls, the CS said that security arrangements and strategic deployment for political parties’ primaries have been made.
The CS also said that the scramble for campaign funds by the youth is straining the security personnel.
He lamented that the government spends a lot of resources on crowd-management, as members of the public fight over campaign cash.
“Premature campaigns and conflicts around crowd mobilisation and sharing of campaign bribes are straining available security resources as more resources have to be committed to containing or resolving related disputes,” he said.
Matiang’I challenged religious leaders to take charge in peace building initiatives across the country.
The CS called on the clergy to engage the judiciary to ensure adjudication of cases against politicians is hastened.
Matiang’I noted that the government is prioritising inter-community peace building initiatives to complement ongoing security operations in Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Garissa counties, as well as other insecurity-prone zones.
During the meeting, Matiang’I called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to get strict in enforcement of its official campaign calendar to spare the country from prolonged and costly campaigns.
“Prolonged campaign season hurting the economy and families as prime time and resources that could be utilized in productive ventures are being squandered in politics,” he said.
The CS noted that disciplinary action will be taken against security officers involved in criminal activities.
The Interfaith Council also raised several issues during the meeting including; calling for strengthening of the multi-sectoral forum on election preparedness, firm but fair containment of security incidents around party primaries and Police impartiality during elections.
They also decried fraudulent registration of membership by political parties.
