Public schools closed Thursday to allow primaries

President Kibaki is received by Head of the Public Service Francis Kimemia (second right) and Higher Education Permanent Secretary Crispus Kiamba (right) at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre for the launch of the Columbia Global Centres for Africa January 14, 2013 Mr Kimemia announced January 15, 2013 that schools will be closed on Thursday to allow party nominations. DIANA NGILA

Public primary schools will remain closed on Thursday to allow political parties hold nominations, the government has announced.

The government agreed to the request by the Ministry of Education to close the schools, which are mostly used as polling stations.

Head of Civil Service Francis Kimemia said in a statement that the schools will be closed for utilisation during party nominations.

"We have agreed to the request by the Ministry of Education. Schools will immediately recover the lost time within the academic calendar,” said Mr Kimemia on Tuesday.

He said the Inspector General of Police has assured there will be adequate security during the nomination day.

“The IG has assured adequate security during all party nominations. Any incidence will be handled appropriately,” Kimemia said.

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord), Jubilee Coalition and Amani Coalition among other parties will hold primaries on Thursday to pick candidates for various offices.

IEBC chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan asked political parties to ensure they have planned well for the primaries and notified authorities and the public of the marked polling centres they intend to use for the nominations.

"We expect political parties to have identified appropriate and secured venues for nominations. They must have compiled and shared the list of poling stations with relevant security and administrative organs of state," Mr Hassan said.