Kenya Gov't Beefs Up Security Ahead of Supreme Court Ruling

The government has deployed additional security officers in selected parts of the country ahead of the Supreme Court ruling slated for Monday.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Edward Mbugua directed all regional police commanders to send out additional personnel to violence-prone areas across the country.

Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), the National Youth Service (NYS), the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the Critical Infrastructure Police (CIP) Unit officers will also assist in the peace-keeping exercise. 

“Depending on the ruling, we expect various reactions from the public in hotspot areas such as violence and destruction of property, demonstrations and celebrations. You are directed to prepare operation orders on how to deal with the aftermath of the court ruling," Mbugua ordered.

The order comes a day after the United States embassy in Kenya issued a security alert warning American citizens of possible violence in the country after the apex court’s ruling on the petition challenging the results of the August 9th presidential election.

It reminded US citizens of the continued need for “sustained vigilance”, stating that Kenya has periodically experienced some post-electoral violence during election cycles.

“Election-related demonstrations and rallies regularly take place after elections, at times blocking key intersections and causing traffic jams.  Demonstrations may occasionally be violent, requiring police intervention.  Strikes and other protest activities related to economic conditions occur regularly,” reads the alert.

The embassy singled out Kisumu, saying it has imposed movement restrictions on US government personnel in the lakeside city out of an “abundance of caution.”