"Covered by police": Govt bans civilian security at political rallies

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- The government has directed politicians to stop using civilians to provide security at political gatherings

- Police officers will take charge of security at political meetings and rallies after organisers notify authorities in advance

- Western Regional Commissioner said security agencies are preparing for emerging threats as political activities increase

The government has moved to tighten security at political gatherings, directing organisers to rely exclusively on police officers instead of civilians for security.

Western Regional Commissioner Allan Machari said the region has sufficient security personnel to secure political meetings and rallies, warning politicians against arranging their own civilian security teams.

Speaking in Busia town after meeting security officials and National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) from across the county, Machari said authorities were engaging political leaders to ensure police take charge of security during political events.

“We are engaging our political leaders to ensure that we don’t use civilians to cover political gatherings. Moving forward, all political gatherings will be covered by police, and no politician or any person holding a meeting will need to organize private security. What is required is to inform the police in advance, and they will provide the security,” he said, as quoted by the Kenya News Agency.

Machari said security agencies in Busia would continue developing measures to safeguard peace and maintain order as political activities intensify ahead of the campaigns.

“Our security team has worked tirelessly and managed to curb insecurity cases that have been experienced in Busia County recently. We are beefing up our efforts to ensure that we have an environment free from insecurity so that people can continue with their activities,” he said.

Is Kenya prepared to deal with emerging security threats?

The commissioner further assured residents that authorities were prepared to respond to emerging security threats, saying adequate resources were available for deployment whenever necessary.

“The region is prepared to deal with any emerging insecurity situation because we have enough resources that can be deployed in case of need across the region,” he said.

He also called on residents to cooperate with security agencies and government administrators by providing information that could help authorities prevent insecurity and maintain law and order.

“We are banking much on the citizens of this region to work closely with the administration and police by sharing information. This will help us deal with cases of insecurity and goonism more effectively and maintain law and order within the region,” he said.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.