Families displaced from their homes by escalating banditry in parts of Baringo North and Baringo South have been asked to return and prepare to participate fully in August 9 general elections.
County commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa has assured the residents that security has been restored in all the affected areas to ensure safe return and settlement.
Accompanied by the county police commander (CPC) Adams Bungei, the CC also announced the immediate reopening of schools that had been closed following persistent attacks that resulted in loss of lives, stealing of livestock and destruction of properties by armed bandits.
He said that a directive had been issued for the learning institutions in clash torn areas of Kasiela, Arabal, Sinoni, Mukutani and other parts of Mochongoi to be opened starting Tuesday to enable children to catch up with their counterparts.
Jaldesa gave the assurance on Wednesday at Kabarnet Vocational Rehabilitation Centre when he chaired a County multisectoral and coordination forum on election preparedness.
Bungei also assured voters in the entire county that adequate security arrangements had been put in place to ensure that all eligible people cast their votes next month in a peaceful environment.
The government, the police commander stated, has deployed enough police officers to take charge of all polling stations during the August 9 general election.
“We have sourced additional officers from the headquarters to boost the existing numbers so that all our polling stations are manned during the crucial exercise. We have full preparation for the elections up to the ward level to guarantee free, fair and credible polls. We are ready to take care of the situation, please rest assured,” he emphasized.
In the forum attended by major stakeholders and an election observer mission from AU/IGAD/COMESA/EAC, the security team restated that maintenance of peace and tranquility before, during and after the elections was a collective responsibility that should not be left to security personnel alone.
The county commissioner and police commander commended local political candidates for conducting their campaigns peacefully and in a mature manner during the party primaries in April.
Participants in the one-day meeting asked local national government officials, especially chiefs to stay clear of political campaigns and remain neutral to avoid being seen to be supporting certain candidates.
