Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai, has recalled all police officers on leave and further canceled all the annual breaks until the end of the elections period.
Mutyambai ordered all police officers on leave to return to their workstations by July 4.
The cops are expected to offer critical support to other stakeholders involved in planning and enabling the electoral body to effectively conduct the polls.
The directive will also affect law enforcement officers who were scheduled to proceed on annual breaks before the August 9 General Election.
"Due to the forthcoming General Election, no officer should be granted leave with effect from July 1, 2022, unless on medical grounds and with doctors’ recommendation. All those officers on leave to be recalled and to be on duty by July 4, 2022," the IG's memo stated.
According to the police protocols, all officers are expected to be briefed on the ongoing preparations for the polls and their supportive role to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Mutyambai's decision follows directives that were issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, to top police commanders contained in the Manual For Police Commanders released on Saturday, February 5.
In the manual, Matiang'i instructed police commanders to attend regular peace and security meetings within their jurisdiction.
He further tasked them to ensure that all other officers of lower ranks are well acquainted with their roles during the electioneering period.
"Police Commanders at all levels should identify key stakeholders in their respective areas of command and attend stakeholders’ meetings to deliberate on election security matters," the manual read in part.
"Police Commanders at all levels shall ensure that all election security personnel have a thorough knowledge of their election security duties through briefing and full details of such briefing shall be recorded in the Occurrence Book."
During the voting exercise, each polling station is usually assigned a police officer while others are always on patrol. However, on August 9 polls, police officers who will be deployed to various polling stations will be required to carry a notebook and a pen where they will be expected to enter details of all incidents and any other material of evidential value that may be used instead of poll dispute.
