OL KALOU, Kenya – Hundreds of police officers have arrived in Ol Kalou ahead of Thursday’s parliamentary by-election as security agencies ramp up preparations to secure the highly anticipated vote.
Videos circulating online showed uniformed officers arriving with their luggage at a designated centre before being briefed and deployed to polling stations and other strategic locations across the constituency.
The arrival marks the latest phase of a large-scale security operation that authorities say is aimed at ensuring a peaceful, free and credible election.
A day earlier, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the National Police Service assured residents that comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place ahead of polling day.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said more than 1,000 officers, including personnel from specialised units, have been deployed throughout the constituency.
The deployment includes four platoons from the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), alongside officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Kanja said DCI officers will focus on intelligence gathering, investigations, arrests and the prosecution of individuals involved in electoral offences.
“We have sufficient deployment from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, whose mandate shall focus on intelligence gathering, investigations, arrest and prosecution of any party or individuals involved in any electoral malpractice,” he said.
According to the Inspector General, all 114 polling stations will have at least two police officers to protect election materials, voters and IEBC officials during the voting process.
Each polling station will also be backed by rapid response teams of no fewer than 14 officers, while four water cannons have been deployed to reinforce security in the event of public disorder.
Meanwhile, the IEBC said it has completed the final phase of preparations for the by-election.
The commission confirmed that election materials have been dispatched to polling officials after stakeholders, including candidates, chief agents, security agencies and members of the media, witnessed the opening of sealed ballot paper pallets to verify security seals and serial numbers.
The verification exercise, the commission said, was aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and public confidence in the electoral process.