Deputy President William Ruto's allies have come out to fault a decision by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i to deploy more security officers in his perceived strongholds.
This is after the CS announced that security would be beefed up in Nakuru, Eldoret, Kuresoi and Molo areas ahead of August 9 polls.
UDA Nakuru county gubernatorial candidate Susan Kihika lashed out at the Interior boss, claiming that his directive would only cause panic in the region.
"Ridiculous! Matiangi’s goal is to create tension in Nakuru, which is peaceful. There is no justification for deploying General Service Unit (GSU) officers to Molo & Kuresoi," Kihika claimed.
The outspoken senator further accused Matiang'i of being used by the government to intimidate the residents in areas where UDA enjoys a massive following in a bid to stop them from exercising their civil right to vote on August 9.
She opined that deploying officers just because of the inflammatory leaflets circulating in the region-which the Kenya Kwanza brigade has sensationally linked to Matiang'i and PS Karanja Kibicho -was unnecessary.
"His intention is to suppress the vote in our strongholds. The same individuals behind the inciting leaflets are using them as an excuse to deploy GSU! Shameless!" Kihika ranted.
In an earlier statement, Matiang'i explained that the decision which had been approved by the National Security Council was made based on an assessment that revealed the regions were vulnerable to violence.
"The GSU officers are not here for any particular aggression but to demonstrate that we are ready to rise up to any challenge that may come up. We are also going to increase surveillance and patrol in the areas," the CS reiterated.
In addition, a multi-agency command centre has been established in Nakuru to provide 24/7 surveillance and prompt response should the need arise.
He added that eight suspects had been arrested in connection with the circulating leaflets. Notably, the security boss dismissed claims that the leaflets were a project by employees in the office of the president.
“Police have got eight suspects in custody in connection with the circulation of those leaflets,
and investigations continue. We have teams on the ground that have been working here for a
long time, and we are collecting more intelligence in real-time,” Matiang'i stated.
Speaking in Nyeri, UDA running mate Rigathi Gachagua insisted that the Interior CS and PS were using chiefs to campaign for Azimio candidate Raila Odinga.
He called on the administrators to stick to their job descriptions, adding that they should use the financial incentives allegedly offered to them to improve the welfare of their wives.
