The government will deploy additional security to select counties in the Rift Valley region ahead of the August 9 general elections, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has confirmed.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, Matiang’i said the deployment of General Service Unit (GSU) officers follows approvals by the National Security Council.
According to the CS, the government will also deploy additional equipment including aerial assets in Molo, Kuresoi, Eldoret and other areas in the country mapped out as vulnerable to disturbance.
“A multi-agency command centre has been established in Nakuru to provide 24/7 support to wananchi drawing attention to security incidents for prompt response by security services,” CS Matiang’i said.
Following approval by the National Security Council for additional resources, security services will bolster deployment of personnel and equipment including aerial assets in Molo, Kuresoi, Eldoret and other areas in the country 🇰🇪 mapped out as vulnerable to disturbance. pic.twitter.com/Rq8vKWayzx
— Dr. Fred Matiang’i (@FredMatiangi) August 2, 2022
The directive has, however, attracted criticism from a section of the political class, who accuse the government of a plot to interfere with the forthcoming polls.
‘Manufactured chaos’ in Nakuru, Eldoret
While criticizing the directive, Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika claimed the aim of the CS is to create tension in Nakuru County.
“Ridiculous Fred Matiang’i goal is to create tension in Nakuru. Nakuru is peaceful! No justification for deploying GSU to Molo and Kuresoi,” the vocal ally of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential candidate William Ruto said.
“Intention is to suppress the vote in our strongholds,” she added further claiming that the same people were behind the recent leaflets distributed in the county to instil fear among locals ahead of the polls.
Notably, Molo, Kuresoi and Eldoret were among the areas affected by the 2007-08 post-election violence that left at least 1,200 people dead and 600,000 others displaced.
