The recent attacks in the rustling-prone areas, which left eight people including three police officers dead, heightened tension, forcing most residents to flee their homes to neighbouring villages.
The National Police Service Commission officials who toured the rustling-hotspots yesterday led by Inspector General of Police deputies Mr Samuel Arachi and Ms Grace Kaindi urged the residents to return home and take part in the elections.
They said the Government has deployed additional Kenya Police Reservists to volatile areas to beef up security and enable voters to exercise their democratic right.
The officials toured Arabal, Loruk, Kinyach, together with the County Commissioner Banard Leparmarai. They also promised the stolen animals will be recovered.
More than 5,000 registered voters in the two rustling-prone districts in the county had expressed fears of not taking part in Monday’s elections due to rampant insecurity.
Local leaders led by immediate former Bartum ward councillor Richard Kampala petitioned the Government and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure displaced persons get a chance to vote.
Families fled
“More than ten polling stations in Ng’aratuko and Sibilo areas have been deserted and I fear, if nothing is done to bring peace, people will lose a chance to vote,” said Kampala.
Polling stations such as Kosile, Moinonin, Kerelyo, Akoreyan, Chemorongion, Ngaratuko, Loruk primary schools with over 3,000 registered voters, he said, have been deserted.
In Marigat, over 2,000 voters might not participate in the exercise after 800 families fled their homes.
The former civic leader said it was ironical for the Government and the IEBC to claim this year’s election will be free and fair if some residents do not vote.
Recently, the Government had promised to deploy special Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers in two districts within Migori County to end cattle rustling. -The Standard
