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Govt forms special police unit to secure bandit-prone areas ahead of August polls

Monday, May 30th, 2022 20:34 | By
Laikipia banditry security. A representational image. PHOTO/Courtesy
Laikipia banditry security. A representational image. PHOTO/Courtesy

A special police unit has been formed to deal with politicians bent on inciting Kenyans and causing chaos during and after the forthcoming August 9 polls.

According to the Parliamentary Security and National Coordination committee chairman Peter Mwathi, the special unit will particularly be deployed to bandit prone areas such as Baringo and Laikipia as well as other hot spot areas across the country.

Limuru MP Peter Mwathi. PHOTO/File
Limuru MP Peter Mwathi. PHOTO/File

He said that the same is aimed at ensuring that people in those areas will exercise their democratic right of electing leaders of their choice in a  peaceful environment.

"The government will deploy enough security personnel during the campaign period as well as during and after the polls across the country. They will be fully equipped to counter any planned breach of peace and we warn any politician planning to organize goons to cause chaos to think twice," he said.

He was addressing the media at Kirathimo social hall after presenting his nomination papers to the IEBC when he further said that there will be no sacred cows as the government beefs up security.

"I want to warn politicians from across the political divide that no one will be spared irrespective of their political allegiance. Even me as the chairman won't be spared if  I happen to incite people into violence," he said.

The chairman who is defending his seat on a Jubilee ticket urged Kenyans and politicians from across the political divide to avoid intolerance and live peacefully with each other.

He observed that tolerance and patriotism will ensure that the polls will be transparent, peaceful, credible, free and fair and encouraged anyone who will be dissatisfied with the election results to seek legal redress in courts of law as provided for in the constitution.

He at the same time said that President Uhuru Kenyatta has the democratic right to support a presidential candidate of his choice and dismissed those faulting him as busybodies out to gain political mileage.

"Uhuru has the freedom of choosing his preferred candidate and but as the country's symbol of unity, he should hold the country together by ensuring that the elections and subsequent transitions will be above board," Mwathi said

Mwathi at the same time called upon religious leaders to be impartial and endeavour to provide civic and voter education to voters so that they can make informed choices during the polls.

"We called upon politicians, aspirants and the general citizenry to speak peace and not hatred during and after the electioneering period", he said

"Recognizably, the character of the people is shaped by the narratives they hear and believe with negative narratives in the past having resulted in violence and deaths in our nation," the chairman noted.

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