Police ready to handle poll petition outcome

Police will be on high alert when the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the presidential petition.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said his officers are under instructions not to favour any side regardless of the court’s decision scheduled for Saturday.

Cord presidential candidate Raila Odinga has challenged the electoral commission’s declaration of Jubilee’s Uhuru Kenyatta as the country’s fourth president.

“Nobody will be allowed to be disrespectful of the law, the court or any other legal instruments of our land. People have the right to be heard, but this right also comes with responsibility and as such, we are cautioning members of the public never to engage in acts or conduct that will be prejudicial to the law,” Mr Kimaiyo said in a statement.

Acting police spokesman Masoud Mwinyi, who read the remarks, added that no violence was expected from supporters of the political coalitions.

“So far, there are no signs that the ruling will result in chaos in the country. But in case we are required to review our operations that day then we are prepared,” he said.

As the Supreme Court sat for the second day on Tuesday, the United States advised American citizens in Kenya that the ruling could lead to violent incidents.

Part of the brief posted on the official website of the US embassy in Nairobi read in part: “There could be a strong public reaction to the announcement; therefore, the US Embassy strongly urges all US citizens to avoid gatherings.”

The Americans were further advised to keep away from downtown business areas and slums.

Mr Kimaiyo reiterated an earlier call to Kenyans to keep off political gatherings and demonstrations.