State beefs up security around Burnt Forest

By Titus Too

Security has been beefed up in Burnt Forest to ensure a peaceful referendum process.

There was heavy presence of regular, Administration Police and GSU hours before the start of today’s voting.

Similar patrols were evident in Eldoret town, Cheptiret, Kimumu and parts of Nandi District.

Burnt Forest has been adversely affected by ethnic flare-ups after every successive general election since 1992.

Residents yesterday expressed confidence there will be peace after the referendum in an area where reconciliatory meetings between different communities had been going on. "There is heavy presence of police and we welcome this. Let them protect us because we pay them," said Elijah Lagat, the Burnt Forest town council chairman.

He said business was on as usual, but added the area should not have been classified as a hot spot.

"It is traumatising, noting that affected communities are coexisting after peace building meetings," said Mr Lagat.

Other leaders among them Wareng County Council Chairman Paul Kiprop termed the deployment of officers ahead of the referendum voting intimidating.

He said there was no tension in Eldoret and residents would turn out in large numbers to vote.

"We, as leaders, are advocating peace and we also hope the outcome of the polls will be fair," said Kiprop.

Meanwhile, a workers union in the tea estates in Nandi Hills released its members on Monday to allow them take part in the referendum.