The Government, through the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination, on Monday announced that there would be no campaigns in areas declared insecure in parts of Baringo and Laikipia counties.
Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Wanyama Musiambo explained that the regions were still unsafe and could not provide a conducive environment to both locals and political leaders as security operations were still ongoing in the region.
The Regional Coordinator noted that aspirants campaigning in the said areas might face hostility or get hurt by criminals who are still operating in the region.
According to Mr Musiambo, campaigns would only kick off in the areas after lifting of the declaration gazetted by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery.
"As it stands now, political aspirants vying for various elective positions cannot conduct campaigns in parts of Baringo and Laikipia where [a security] operation is ongoing because they are unsafe," Musiambo stated.
In Baringo County, gazetted regions include; Chebinyingi, Mochongoi, Ng'elecha, Rugus, Arabal, and Ng'elecha, Ng'aratuko, Yatia, Arabal, Kiserian, Mochongoi, Rugus, Mukutani, Chebinyinyi, Komolion, Chepkalacha, Makutano, Paka, Orus, Loiywat, Silale, Nando, Tangulbei, Chepkererat, Kipnai, Ng'oron and Amaya.
The gazetted regions in Laikipia County include; Rumuruti, Ol Moran, Kirimon, Marmanet, Mukogodo East, Segera, Mithiga and Mutuiku.
Mr Musiambo, however, noted that once the gazette notices are lifted, aspirants would be allowed to conduct their campaigns freely without interference.
The ban comes only a few days after the government extended police operations in the counties by an extra 30 days after it was discovered that some parts of the county were still insecure.
The move to restrict political activities in the two counties comes as a setback to politicians seeking votes in the region as the IEBC had announced that campaigns would officially kick-off on May 28th, 2017.
