Fear not, you will vote despite al Shabaab attacks, IEBC tells Lamu residents

IEBC has assured residents in terror-prone areas and IDP camps that elaborate plans have been made so they can vote on August 8.

Basuba ward in Lamu East and Pandanguo area, where the Boni community lives, are under a 90-day dusk to dawn curfew imposed by acting Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.

Matiang’i took the step following sporadic attacks by al Shabaab militants and pleas for actions by residents who said they may not cast their ballots.

 

The Boni community has missed out on crucial services including immunisations due to insecurity.

The election is just 12 days away and residents who fled also complained polling stations are too far away. They asked the commission to consider setting up mini centres at the camps.

Lamu county elections manager Mohamed Adan said their plans include airlifting election agents to and from polling centres.

Adan said the electoral agency has also mapped insecure areas and IDP camps and is looking into mitigation.

He added the IEBC is meeting residents from these areas to discuss this.

“I understand people are worried but we assure every single voter that they will vote no matter where they are and no matter the security situation,” Adan said in his Lamu office on Wednesday.

“We have made adequate plans…election staff will be flown by choppers to and from these areas. All these are part of plans made to ensure no one is left out.”

The official added they are finding out where people in IDP camps were registered and considering flying them to polling stations.

Adan said enough police officers will be deployed to man centres near the camps and escort residents to their homes.

“Unfortunately, the IEBC has already gazetted polling stations. But don’t worry…we might have some flown to vote and others given enough security to polling centres and back. We are also considering setting up polling centres close to the camps.”

More than 2,00 people are living in camps at Kastaka Kairu, Witu AIC and Catholic churches.

The government asked them to leave their homes to pave for operations to flush out the terrorists

source