The government has beefed up security in parts of the country as the Supreme Court is set to deliver its ruling on the presidential petition on Monday, September 5.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) identified areas in the country with the highest risk of election-related violence before the August 9 polls.
The counties mapped by the NCIC as possible epicentres of violence include; Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi, Kericho, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu.
Some counties were mapped by NCIC as areas that are likely to experience slight violence, they include; Narok, Marsabit, Laikipia, Lamu, Baringo, Isiolo, Meru, Nandi, Samburu, Bomet, Embu, Nyandarua, Makueni, Busia, Taita-Taveta, Tharaka-Nithi, Kitui and Kajiado.
Police beef up security in trouble spots
The National Police Service is not taking a chance ahead of the declaration of the outcome of the presidential petition on Monday. More security officers are being deployed to areas with the highest risk of election-related violence.
Deputy Inspector-General of the National Police Service Edward Mbugua has ordered all regional commanders to deploy their officers in hot spot areas.
“The Supreme Court of Kenya will make a ruling on the presidential petition on Monday, September 5. Depending on the ruling, we expect various reactions from the public in hotspot areas such as violence and destruction of property, demonstrations and celebrations. You are directed to prepare operation orders on how to deal with the aftermath of the court ruling,” Mbugua said in a letter to all regional commanders.
As part of the preparations in anticipation of protests, all areas identified as hotspots by the NCIC will over the weekend receive extra deployment of regular, AP and GSU officers. These are Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi, Kericho, Mombasa and Uasin Gishu.
The six counties with the highest risk of election-related violence are the political base of Raila Odinga and William Ruto.
The move to deploy extra security comes shortly after the US embassy on Thursday, September 1 issued another security alert to its citizens in Kisumu ahead of the Supreme Court ruling.
