Beef up security during campaigns

The Ministry of Interior docket headed by Joseph Nkaissery has a duty and responsibility to protect all Kenyans, especially during the election period.

The recent activities of lawlessness are a wake-up call for the Cabinet Secretary to concentrate on his duties and shun politics, which he seems to be engaging in more.

A few days ago, Opposition leader Raila Odinga, while on a voter sensitisation tour in Turkana County, had to flee for his life when unknown persons invaded his rally with guns, endangering the lives of area residents as well as the politicians.

The incident reminds me of a similar one during a ward by-election in the same county, where armed gangs ran amok, terrorising some aspirants. That was a clear pointer that there are many guns in the wrong hands.

It is the duty of any government to protect its citizens. If these gun-wielding gangs are not disarmed early, moving into the election campaigns might be a hard nut for the Government to crack. It would be sad to wait for a disaster before the security forces act. In a civilised country like Kenya, we expect the rule of law to reign even in murky political waters. Gangs cannot be allowed to call the shots at the behest of some politicians.