The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
The National Police Service (NPS) has refuted claims circulating on social media alleging that rape cases and fatalities occurred during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, stating that no such incidents were officially reported before, during or after the voting exercise.
In a statement issued on Friday, Central Regional Police Commander Geoffrey Mayek said the by-election was conducted peacefully, praising residents for participating in the democratic process responsibly and maintaining order throughout the exercise.
Mayek commended the people of Ol Kalou for what he described as their mature conduct, saying they exercised their constitutional right to vote in a calm and orderly environment.
He also lauded police officers deployed to provide security during the poll, noting that they performed their duties professionally and with dedication.
The police response follows allegations made by some political leaders a day earlier, who accused rivals of voter intimidation, bribery and election-related violence during the by-election.
According to Mayek, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has taken note of reports indicating that unidentified individuals were seen moving around the constituency under suspicious circumstances.
He said the Inspector General has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the identities of the individuals, establish their purpose in the area and recommend appropriate legal action where necessary.
Despite the ongoing investigations, the police maintained that allegations of rape and deaths linked to the by-election are false and unsupported by official records.
Mayek warned that the spread of unverified information could create unnecessary public fear and undermine confidence in the National Police Service, whose constitutional responsibility is to safeguard lives, protect property and enforce the law.
He urged members of the public with credible information about any criminal activity during the election to report the matter to the nearest police station to enable investigations and appropriate action.
The regional police commander further emphasized the importance of ensuring that public statements are accurate, reliable and truthful, adding that the National Police Service remains committed to upholding the rule of law and guaranteeing the safety and security of Kenyans during and after the electoral process.
