North Rift voters assured of security on Election Day

Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago (left) and Uasin Gishu County Governor Abdi Hassan chat during Mashujaa Day celebrations held at 64 Stadium in Eldoret town on October 20, 2017.
PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Nandi County Commissioner Lucy Mulili assured locals of security during the electioneering period.
  • He urged residents to turnout in large numbers and cast their votes peacefully.

North Rift leaders marked Mashujaa Day with an assurance to locals that they will be adequate security during the repeat presidential election.

The region, largely a Jubilee Party zone, has fairly been peaceful since the annulment of the presidential election but the leaders said they would not allow anyone disturb the peace on Election Day.

In Nandi, the celebrations were characterised by local leaders urging locals to turn out in large numbers to take part in the repeat presidential elections.

VOTING
Area Governor Stephen Sang called on the electorate to remain peaceful even as they turn out to exercise their democratic right.

"Just the same way those who want to abscond the repeat presidential exercise have a right, those who will be voting have a right to be allowed to vote," said Mr Sang at the ASK Showground in Kapsabet town where the celebrations were held.

Nandi County Commissioner Lucy Mulili assured locals of security during the electioneering period saying those with intentions of causing chaos would be dealt with firmly.

"We are ready to provide security during the electioneering week. We assure everyone that the week will be peaceful," said Ms Mulili.

In Elgeyo-Marakwet, the message was the same as Governor Alex Tolgos said his county government would carry out road shows throughout this coming week to mobilise residents to turn up in large numbers to vote.

UNCERTAINITY

"Despite the uncertainty on whether the elections will be held or not, we want to inform everyone in our county that there will be elections on Thursday and we call upon each of them to turn up 100 per cent," said Mr Tolgos while addressing wananchi at Iten Day secondary during the celebrations.

The Governor asked National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader Raila Odinga to restrain his supporters from interfering with the polls.

"If Nasa leaders have decided to stay away from the polls, they should never dare to interfere with the rest of citizens who will be taking part in the polls," he said.

The County Commissioner Frederick Ndambuki said security during and after the Thursday repeat polls would be enhanced asking voters to turn out to vote.

Renowned athletes including Ezekiel Kemboi, Wilson Kipsang and Edna Kiplagat were feted as the county’s heroes.

SECURITY

In Uasin Gishu, Governor Jackson Mandago assured residents of tight security ahead of the elections next week.

Speaking during Mashujaa day celebration at 64 stadium, Mr Mandago said his government has asked for adequate security in the region to enable residents vote.

“Before 8th August, our county was marked as a hotspot for violence during and after elections, but we proved the prophets of doom wrong. The security is still tight, we will not allow our county to go back to what happened in 2007/8. I want to guarantee the people of Uasin Gishu to wake up and feel safe when they go to vote in the coming polls,” said Mr Mandago.

He urged residents to turnout in large numbers and cast their votes peacefully.

“For those who will not vote, please stay at your homes and maintain peace. Don’t convince someone to vote or not, it is their right to do so or not. But I want to urge residents of this county to go out on 26th October and vote for President Uhuru Kenyatta,” he said.

Reporting by Philip Bwayo, Philemon Suter, Brenda Gamonde, Lillian Chebore.