Kenyan police say on high alert to avert skirmishes ahead of August polls

Security agencies in Kenya have intensified surveillance across the country to prevent civil disruptions ahead of the August 8 polls, senior officials said on Wednesday.
Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet told reporters in Nairobi that a multi-agency security force has been mobilized to maintain law and order as Kenya gear up for General Elections.
"We hereby reassure the country that our officers are ready to provide security during elections. It is our duty to ensure elections are held in a safe and secure environment," said Boinnet.
He made the remarks against a backdrop of an alarm raised by the European Union (EU), rights groups and independent institutions on growing tension in some regions during this campaign season.
The Head of European Union Election Observer Mission to Kenya's 2017 elections, Marietje Schaake on Monday warned that election related skirmishes could occur in the absence of solid deterrent measures.
At the same time, the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released early this week that tensions were building up in Naivasha area of Nakuru County ahead of August polls.
Boinnet said there was no reason for alarm since highly trained security officers were already on the ground monitoring campaigns to ensure that inflammatory actions by aspirants for various seats are nipped in the bud.
"We are satisfied with presentations delivered by a multi-agency security force today which indicated the level of preparedness to deal with any security threat during this election period is high," said Boinnet.
Kenya's Daily Nation on Wednesday reported that inter-communal tensions were building up in densely populated urban slums and pockets of rural villages ahead of August polls that are expected to be hotly contested.
Boinnet said police were on alert to contain threats of violence in new and traditional hotspots.
"The security personnel will arrest anyone acting in violation of the law irrespective of their political persuasion," Boinnet said.
"We shall be meeting regularly and communicate to the nation steps that will be taken to ensure there is adequate security during elections," he added.

Source: xinhua