Inspector general of police, Okoth Martin Ochola has promised that his force will ensure that municipality elections which kicked off on Monday will be well policed and voters kept safe to ensure a clean process.
In a letter to all unit commanders, the IGP asked that all threats should be assessed deployment done adequately and monitor the process to ensure a safe environment for citizens to exercise their constitutional right of voting for leaders of their choice without fear or intimidation.
The IGP further ordered his officers to stop wrongfully arresting and intimidating voters.
“There are allegations of arbitrary arrests, intimidation and abuse in all forms by elements within the security sector. If it has happened at all, it must be stopped immediately.
All police officers must ensure that no abuse whatsoever is occasioned on citizens. In the same vein, no citizen should engage in the commission of crime. If they do, unit commanders must investigate and prosecute these elements without fear or favor” Ochola wrote.
The IGP further urged candidates and other political players to exercise mature and clean politics devoid of violence both in talk and action. “The language that incites the electorate into violence should be avoided in all engagements even when there are disagreements at any level” he added.
The electoral commission designated Monday July 23 as the polling date for women committees at parish level in the 8,386 polling stations across the country.
Today Tuesday, is the polling day for new sub counties, Municipal divisions and town councils. Also today, Parish chairpersons (LC2s) will be nominated across the country.
Friday July 27, is polling date for Members of Parliament in the 6 municipalities, Mayors and councilors as well as parish chairpersons across the country.
During the campaigns for MP races in Njeru, Bugiri and Sheema, the IGP says some acts of violence were registered and are being investigated while those responsible will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
