KDF soldiers patrol Nairobi streets as Kenyans vote/EDDIE KIMANI
Deputy Coast Provincial Police Officer Arthur and Tana Delta District Commissioner David Kiprop were spotted in the area in helicopters, directing their officers to maintain peace in a region that has faced communal violence in recent months.
Kiprop confirmed that the 87 polling stations in the district were heavily guarded with hundreds of other law enforcement officers put on standby, ready to respond to any crisis.
“We have reinforced our security especially in Ozi, Kau, Kipini, Asa and Kilelengwani, which were affected by the tribal clashes, which left over 200 people dead,” he explained.
“We have enough vehicles, speed boats, choppers and officers to adequately respond to any crisis. No hitches so far have been witnessed in the volatile Garsen constituency and we hope for the best as the day progresses,” he added.
Meanwhile, hundreds of voters hoping to take part in the poll were turned away after they found their names missing in the voter registration book and had their long cherished dreams of voting in the historic election shattered.
Rose Abae, the wife of one of the governorship aspirants Adams Dhidha said: “My name is missing despite confirming with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that I was a registered voter at the Garsen Primary School polling centre in Garsen constituency.”
“How does the IEBC expect my husband to triumph without my vote? IEBC should be blamed for the mess witnessed countrywide,” she emphasised.
The candidate for the Garsen Parliamentary seat Joel Ruhu said that the Electronic Voter Identification kits were faulty.
“Why should IEBC have faulty kits and they had assured voters that they were ready for the election?” he asked.
About The Author
