Rift Valley leaders have faulted the decision taken by the National Security Council to deploy more security officers in some parts of the vote-rich valley.
Addressing media at Mwaita area in Trans Nzoia County, Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago said the move is motivated and is meant to scare residents of Rift Valley.
“We are not sure if the security officers are being deployed to Rift Valley to protect Kenyans or to cause chaos in this region,” Mandago said.
The second term Governor said it is not necessary to deploy more security apparatus in a peaceful region.
“There is no need to use a lot of money deploying security officers. Where was the money when our people in Kerio Valley were being butchered by bandits?” he asked.
Mandago, who is eyeing Uasin Gishu senatorial seat, said Rift Valley residents will vote peacefully in the August 9 elections.
Rift Valley leaders castigate Matiang’i
His sentiments were echoed by Marakwet East Member of Parliament Kangogo Bowen who said Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is using his office to do politics for Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party candidate Raila Odinga.
“What Matiang’i is doing does not make sense because the people of Rift Valley have learnt lessons from the 2007/08 post-election violence,” Kangogo said.
Kangogo also said the government is behind the dropping of leaflets meant to scare residents of Uasin Gishu.
“We know the leaflets were generated by the government after they realized our candidate William Ruto is going to win” he added.
Former Cherang’any constituency Member of Parliament Wesley Korir asked the residents of Trans Nzoia to maintain peace and shun tribal politics.
“Trans Nzoia is a cosmopolitan county where people from all the ethnic communities live. Politics should not divide us,” Korir called.
Chepsiro /Kiptoror ward Member of County Assembly Kipchumba Birir expressed confidence in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC.
“We are satisfied with what IEBC has done in terms of preparedness for the elections,” Birir said.
