By Mohamed Odhiambo
State of security have beeen hightened in Migori County ahead of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party primaries next month, police have now revealed.
In a candid interview with journalists in his office, Migori County Police Commander Mr. David Kirui confirmed this, saying that the County has enough security personel to ensure containment of maximum peace in the area adding that they are highly prepared for their task.
“We have enough security personnel who are also very prepared to ensure maximum peace maintained through out the county,” he said.
This comes barely a month to the much anticipated ODM primaries in Migori, slated for April 19th. The primaries are more often than not marred with violence from youths supporters of politicians.
ODM party leadership has however promised peaceful, transparent and open nominations this round, with other politicians running as independent candidates for the fear of negotiated democracy and party violence.
Women Representative aspirant Dr. Pamela Odhiambo last Friday asked the ODM leadership to ensure the primaries are not violent as witnesses in the past, saying that violence has seen many women(to be) politicians shying away from politics. The commander has however assured total peace maintenance from the police especially during this high campaign periods.
Mr. Kirui also said that they have received additional officers, who passed out last month to assist in the maintenance of peace during and after the electioneering period in the country,urging politicians and the general public to cooperate and work together with the police to fish out law breakers and for smooth running of operations.
“We have been able to receive additional police officers who will assist in maintaining peace in the county. I want also to call on the politicians and the public to work in partnership with the police to curb violence,” he concluded.
This comes barely a fortnight after it emerged an local paper that Migori police are investigating a possible violence which some youths aligned to a prominent politician in the area pledged to erupt during primaries. The police have since distant themselves from the statement terming it as baseless rumours.
