The Inspector General (IG) of Police Hilary Mutyambai today assured Kenyans that police are adequately prepared to discharge their duties in the course of the electoral cycle.
In light of this, the National Police Service announced on Friday that 150,000 officers will be deployed to various parts of the country for the elections.
According to Mutyambai, this will include special officers from partner security agencies such as the Kenya Prisons Service, the National Youth Service, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Kenya Forest Service.
Mutyambai claims that security personnel are under orders to ensure Kenyans’ safety as they go out to vote and that everyone goes about their business without fear of crime or harm.
“Further, there is a provision for a deployment of five (5) Airset in strategic locations to provide logistical air support when and where required throughout the electioneering period,” he said.
He stated that the NPS has put elaborate measures and strategies in place to ensure security throughout the electoral cycle and allow the IEBC to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.
He also stated that the NPS has prepared and finalized a National Police Service Election Security Plan in order to ensure a smooth election process.
“…..Officers are well resources and in a high state of readiness to handle all forms of threats that may arise before, during, and after the general elections,” he added.
Further, Mutyambai said he established the National Police Service Election Security Secretariat with the express mandate to coordinate all activities on election preparedness in an effort to ensure proper coordination of all activities surrounding election security.
“The secretariat in collaboration with other stakeholders developed an election security manual, guidelines, and a training manual to enhance election security strategy development and address previous gaps in police operations during elections,” he stated.
At the same time, the IG said the service has established a national election security command center to be manned on a 24-hour basis and is fully equipped to handle election-related security challenges.
“It can be reached at toll-free on Tel. 0779756616,0779756615,0779756617 and 0779756606,” he said.
