Administration Police: We are prepared to handle polls

By Anthony Gitonga

Naivasha, Kenya: The Administration Police (AP) has mapped out security measures on areas in the country identified as hotspots.

The force said that early plans had been made to make sure that the exercise was peaceful.

The force promised that it was ready to deal with any violence or protest that could break out saying that they had learned from the 2007/2008 chaos.

According to AP deputy commandant Fred Mwei, they have intensified security in area considered to be hotspots ahead of general elections.

Mwei added that every polling station would have enough security officers to supervise the exercise and provide security.

“The National Police Service is committed to peaceful elections and we assure Kenyans that we are ready to deal with those breaking the law,” he said.

He said that the force was prepared to offer security before, during and after the general elections.

The senior officer was addressing the press in Fisherman’s camp in Naivasha during a four day retreat for Peace Ambassadors of Kenya.

The group of youths from various universities and colleges in the country are meeting to discuss peace and integrity during the campaign and election period.

“We have decided to interact with the youths on the need of preaching peace as politicians use them during their campaigns to cause violence,” he said.

A commissioner with the National Integration and Cohesion Commission Ms Alice Nderitu admitted that for years, university students had been used by politicians to cause violence.

She said that they had moved ahead of the politicians and mobilised the students to preach peace.

On hate speech, she defended the commission noting that they had addressed many cases and the files lay with the office of the DPP waiting for prosecution.