Security Beefed Up In 6 Counties Ahead Of Supreme Court Verdict

The government has deployed more security officers to six counties in Kenya ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on Monday, September 5 with regards to the presidential petition.

The National Police Service (NPS) Deputy Inspector-General Edward Mbugua disclosed that all regional commissioners have been instructed to deploy their officers in hot spot areas.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had identified areas in the country with the highest risk of violence related to the August 9 general elections.

The counties mapped by the NCIC as possible epicentres of violence include; Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi, Kericho, Mombasa and Uasin Gishu.

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.

“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 the regional commanders.

The six counties with the highest risk of election-related violence are the political bases of Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga and president-elect, William Ruto.

The move to deploy extra security comes after the United States (US) embassy in Nairobi issued another travel advisory to its citizens and personnel intending to travel to the lakeside city of Kisumu.

The embassy revealed on Thursday, September 1 that Kenya has periodically experienced some post-electoral violence during election cycles.

It also revealed that election-related demonstrations and rallies regularly take place after elections, at times blocking key intersections and causing traffic jams.

"Demonstrations may occasionally be violent, requiring police intervention. Strikes and other protest activities related to economic conditions occur regularly.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. Embassy has imposed movement restrictions on U.S. government personnel in Kisumu. The State Department reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for sustained vigilance," the embassy cautioned.

Kisumu county governor Anyang' Nyong'o however emphasized that the county will remain peaceful regardless of the outcome of the presidential election petition ruling by the Supreme Court.

“We do not expect any change in this state of affairs whatever the outcome of the Supreme Court petition,” he said.

“We reject the tone of the memo, which singles out Kisumu and suggests that the city could witness violence after the September 5 Supreme Court ruling on the presidential election petition."