Tight security ahead of Makueni by election
Some 1,000 police officers have been deployed to Makueni County ahead of Friday’s senatorial by election.
Makueni County Commander Waithera Kipsoi said adequate security will be provided in the six constituencies with two officers manning each of the 914 polling stations.
“We are fully prepared. We have enough officers from Makueni County and surrounding regions,” she told reporters at the police county headquarters Thursday.
Ms Kipsoi said a team of senior police officers will be deployed at tallying centres within the County to control crowds and manage incidents.
She identified Wote and Makindu towns as potential hotspots for violence and asked the five candidates to preach peace among the electorate and urge their supporters to maintain law and order.
Pre-marked ballots
On Wednesday, angry youth harassed motorists after word went round that pre-marked ballot papers were being ferried to polling centres.
On preparations for the mini poll, Makueni County deputy returning officer Martin Kisilu said his team was ready to receive voting materials from Nairobi.
Mr Kisilu said the name of Wiper candidate Mutula Kilonzo Jnr was being superimposed on the ballot papers.
He urged residents to turnout in large numbers to exercise their democratic right of electing their next Senator.
Mr Kisilu said the commission had carried out extensive voter education ahead of the hotly contested by election that has attracted five candidates.
They are Narc’s Philip Kaloki, Harun Mwau (PICK), Jane Kitundu (LPK), Mr Kilonzo Jnr (Wiper) and independent candidate Urbanus Katumo.
