Kenya Police in panic after Raila's recent announcement

mary kulundu

June 22, 2017 9:33 AM

Police officers have expressed fear highlighting that

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Police officers in Kenya have expressed worry after National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga unveiled to the nation the Alliance vote-protection strategy to be used in the August 8 General Election.

The police wrote a letter to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) expressing fear over the plan that will see five observers from the Opposition's side at every polling stations.

The five members will be tasked to protect the Opposition's votes.

According to the police, this will be dangerous as uninvited guests could cause trouble during the poll.

“There will be many competing interests and if we allow crowds to hang around tallying centres, it will be a recipe for chaos and anarchy," an officer was quoted by the Star.

Assistant Police IG Henry Barmao wrote to IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba seeking clarification in order "to avoid controversy and confusion on the polling day".

Barmao, who handles operations at police headquarters, asked Chiloba to communicate IEBC's decision so that police would not be labelled biased if they lock out "unwanted guests".

The adopt a polling station strategy will see the five committee members, divided into two groups.

The first will be made up of two agents stationed inside the polling station with copies of the voters' register, which they will mark as people cast their votes.

They will be accredited by the IEBC.

The remaining three will be outside the polling room, also armed with copies of voters' register for that particular station.

On Wednesday, the Former Prime Minister launched the adopt-a-polling station noting that the Alliance needs Sh410 million to fund the strategy.

“You can choose to support this cause by providing food to our agents at a polling station. You can choose to cater for the daily allowances of any of our agents at a polling station or perhaps keep vigil until the last vote is counted and results announced,” the ODM boss said yesterday.

The NASA presidential candidate affirmed that: “This, I verily say unto you, will go a long way in keeping thieves at bay".

mary kulundu