Nairobi,KENYA: Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’I on Wednesday said the evening curfew imposed in some areas in Lamu and Tana River are still on during this electioneering period.
Addressing the press in Nairobi, Matiang’i said the curfew was imposed to help secure the areas.
“Curfew helps in movement of police to snatch out enemies,” said Matiangi.
However, Matiangi said that the curfew is not meant to deter civilians living in those areas from exercising their democratic right urging them to turn out in large numbers to vote, while cooperating with police officers to report anything they feel could be a threat to the security.
The curfew was imposed by Matiang’i last month following attacks on the two counties that were largely blamed on Alshabaab militants.
“The police are in particular areas(post) and in the villages of Tana river and Lamu county and of course we cannot do things that affect our people since we are understanding.” Matiangi added.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said on Wednesday said that IEBC election officials had been given the mandate and powers to extend voting hours in areas where voting had been disrupted because of valid reasons.
Matiangi who was speaking together with the inspector general of police Joseph Boinnet, said that the government would provide adequate security during the elections.
“The police will provide assistance to IEBC like escorting voting material to designated places.” Said Matiang’i.
