Gachagua Accuses IG Kanja of Using Police to Interfere With Ol Kalou Poll
2 min read
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that the large number of police officers deployed to Ol Kalou ahead of Thursday’s parliamentary by-election could interfere with the voting process.
Speaking in a letter addressed to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Gachagua alleged that more than 2,000 officers had been sent to the constituency. He questioned why such a large security operation was necessary, saying the campaigns had remained largely peaceful.
According to Gachagua, police should only provide security and should not influence the election. He also accused some plain-clothes officers of intimidating his party’s supporters during the campaign period.
The former Deputy President claimed that the officers had been deployed to disrupt voting, intimidate party agents and interfere with the counting of votes. However, he did not provide evidence to support the allegations.
Gachagua called on the National Police Service to ensure that all officers on election duty wear official police uniforms, display their service numbers and use clearly marked police vehicles. He also asked that plain-clothes officers be withdrawn from the constituency.
He warned that if violence breaks out during or after the election, the police would be held responsible.
Police Say Security Measures Are Routine
On Tuesday, Inspector General Douglas Kanja announced that the National Police Service had increased security ahead of the Ol Kalou by-election.
Kanja said officers had been deployed to protect voters, election officials and voting materials while ensuring the exercise remains peaceful and orderly.
He said every polling station would have police officers assigned for security, adding that additional units, including the General Service Unit (GSU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers and water cannons, had also been deployed to respond to any security incidents if necessary.
The police leadership has maintained that the deployment is part of normal election security arrangements and is intended to allow residents of Ol Kalou to vote in a peaceful and secure environment.
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