A total of 150,000 police officers will be deployed across the country to provide security during the August 9 polls, the National Police Service (NPS) has revealed.
In a statement on Friday, July 22, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai said the police service has put in place stringent measures, in partnership with other state agencies, to deal with any cases of insecurity that may arise during the electioneering period.
The 150,000 officers include special police officers drawn from the police service's partner security agencies such as Kenya Prisons Service, National Youth Service (NYS) and Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service.
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"They will be deployed during the elections to ensure a safe environment for all to cast their votes and that all residents in the country conduct their activities without fear of crime or harm," Mutyambai said.
"Formed Police Units (FPUs) under the National Police Service have also been deployed across the country to offer tactical support to general duty officers before, during and after the general elections," he added.
Further, the police boss said the service will deploy five Airset in strategic locations to provide logistical air support when and where required throughout the electioneering period.
He disclosed that NPS has also established a National Election Security Command Centre which is manned on a 24-hour basis and equipped to handle all situational analysis related to election security.
"To ensure seamless and continuous operations, the Government has resourced the Service adequately. This is by leasing additional vehicles and operational equipment to ensure officers are well resourced and in a high state of readiness to handle all forms of threats that may arise before, during and after the General Elections," he said.
Mutyambai urges Kenyans to remain calm ahead of polls
Amid the rising political temperatures in the country, Mutymbai urged Kenyans to maintain peace throughout the electioneering period.
"I urge all Kenyans to remain peaceful and law-abiding during this period of electioneering leading up to the General Elections and beyond. As the National Police Service, we count on the great partnership and support of all Kenyans of goodwill towards the realization of our mandate of delivering a safe and secure General Election," Mutyambai urged.
