Police warn leaders against incitement

Nyanza Regional coordinator Wilson Njenga (left) with Nyanza regional police coordinator Willy Lugusa during press briefing on security in Kisumu. (Photo: Collins Oduor/Standard)

The police have warned politicians in Nyanza against inciting violence ahead of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominations scheduled for next month.

Nyanza Regional Police Coordinator Willy Lugusa asked politicians to practise issue-based politics.

He assured aspirants of enhanced security but warned that his officers would not tolerate any electoral violence.

''Those who are thinking or planning electoral mischief will be in for it. We are under firm instructions to ensure that the elections do not compromise the peaceful atmosphere in Nyanza," said Lugusa in a statement.

He added that the police have intensified intelligence networking and patrols in Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Nyamira, and Kisii counties.

''We will firmly deal with acts of lawlessness within the confines of the law," Lugusa said.

He spoke as Usalama Forum - a police reform lobby group formed in 2008 - called for sober and issue-based politics.

Usalama officials disclosed that Kisumu's Kondele, Garissa, and Nairobi's Eastleigh estates will be on the police radar as possible electoral violence hot spots ahead of the August elections.

Usalama Nyanza Safety Training Coordinator Jared Awatt and National Safety Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Mercy Letting said they were directing training on how to handle the violence hot spots.

Usalama is tasked with the mandate of consolidating civil society engagement in security sector reform programmes in the country.