The government has assured Kenyans of enhanced security ahead of the November 27 by-elections scheduled to take place across 23 electoral areas nationwide.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said adequate security measures have been put in place to guarantee peace and order during the polls.
Speaking in Kasipul Constituency, one of the affected areas, Omollo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring credible and violence-free elections.
“I want to assure not just the people of Kasipul, but the entire country, that every part of Kenya deserves the highest level of security,” he said.
Omollo added that the government has deployed sufficient security personnel and is working closely with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to coordinate operations ahead of polling day.
He noted that Kenya’s security environment remains stable and said past challenges in Kasipul have been resolved.
“Even the primaries conducted by the ODM party were not shrouded in the kind of violence witnessed in the past,” he observed, expressing confidence that the upcoming by-election would be peaceful.
The PS urged candidates and their supporters to embrace tolerance and avoid provocation during campaigns.
“If you don’t support a particular candidate, keep away from their functions. Do not attend rallies to shout down others or cause chaos,” he cautioned.
Omollo emphasized that the Ministry of Interior will continue working with the IEBC to enforce law and order throughout the election period.
“IEBC has rules and regulations that guide its elections. As a ministry, we will continue to support them to ensure we have a credible exercise devoid of any form of violence or intimidation,” he said.
The upcoming by-elections will cover six National Assembly seats, one Senate seat, and 16 ward positions.
The vacancies arose from deaths, resignations, and appointments to other roles.
According to the IEBC, official campaigns will run from Wednesday, October 8, to Monday, November 24, between 7 am and 6 pm.
Candidates and parties are required to submit the names of their election agents by Tuesday, November 11. The Commission will use the certified voter register published on June 21, 2022, for the polls.