Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on Wednesday, July 13, convened a meeting with security chiefs from across the country - to assess the preparedness for the General Election scheduled for August 9.
The Ministry of Interior later issued a statement on the country's security situation - noting that most parts of the country were largely safe and ready for a peaceful election.
The statement, however, noted that security intelligence reports indicated that there had been minor cases of criminal gangs planning to disrupt peace in parts of the Rift Valley, Central and Nyanza regions.
"Intelligence reports indicated the country was generally peaceful amid the campaign season save for isolated cases of active criminal gangs in the North Rift and some parts of Nyanza and Central Kenya that were being dealt with," the statement read in part.
The CS affirmed that the government was prepared to maintain order and tranquillity during the period owing to an elaborate plan that has been in place for a long time.
“We are very alert. If we detect anything that is akin to trying to resuscitate, create, or form any form of gang activity, we will act with very serious resolve. We urge all politicians to conduct themselves lawfully. We will be merciless, we will be ruthless,” he warned.
Matiang'i added that arrangements for the security polling stations and election material had also been adopted and were aimed at facilitating the work of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissions (IEBC).
“None of our security teams from the regions has reported any problem or breakdown in communication between them and the commission. Now we are moving to the next stage of final preparations for movement of the election materials,” Matiang'i added.
The meeting was the second last of the planned National Security Assessment Sessions organized to deliberate on the possible remedies for any form of threat to security.
The ministry will hold one more meeting at the end of July to finalize the arrangements to deliver a peaceful election.
The meeting came with only 27 days remaining before the August 9 polls. Various stakeholders are working to ensure a flawless exercise in support of IEBC.
Those in attendance included Interior PS Karanja Kibicho, Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai, all Regional Commissioners and all the Regional bosses of the Kenya Police, National Police, Administration Police and the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
