IG Joseph Boinnet has discredited claims by social media users that GSU officers are being dispatched to Nyanza to 'deal with' National Super Alliance (NASA) supporters ahead of the October 26th election..
Social media users caused a stir last week with claims that officers are being sent to the region to vote, stuff ballots and kill protesters in Nyanza and Western.
This is after a video emerged showing several trucks with officers clad in anti-riot regalia on a highway heading to an unknown location. Users who posted the video claimed that the trucks were heading to Western and Nyanza provinces ahead of the October 26 repeat poll.
"These are dangerous lies aimed at causing disaffection and ill will towards the police," Boinnet stated through police spokesman George Kinoti on Saturday.
"We caution social media users or any other person to desist from spreading falsehoods and unsubstantiated information," he warned.
He clarified the origin of the videos, stating that the trucks seen were ferrying recruits going for field training in Kajiado.
On Friday, Siaya Senator James Orengo claimed that 300 military officers have been deployed to Kisumu by the Jubilee administration to supervise the upcoming election. He claimed that reliable sources have alleged that the officers are from Lanet barracks.
[caption caption="Siaya senator James Orengo"]
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“You, President Uhuru Kenyatta cannot militarize elections. It’s about the ballot, not the bullet. Any election in which the military participates is not an election,” Senator Orengo stated.
Police have come under heavy criticism for using excessive force against protesters during anti-IEBC demonstrations and shortly after results were announced from the nullified August 8 general election. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch reported that 33 people were killed by police since the August poll, but the police say four have died.
While campaigning for Jubilee during the week, Acting Interior CS Fred Matiang'i has warned youths against participating in demonstrations during the Thursday repeat poll.
[caption caption="Anti-riot police"]
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