On Tuesday, August 9, more than 22 million Kenyans will be voting for their preferred presidential candidate to succeed outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta in next week’s highly anticipated General Election.
Presidential front runners William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party’s Raila Odinga will be facing off in the polls.
Judging by history, the country has experienced post-election violence in varying degrees for the last three successive general elections -2007,2013, and 2017. Ruto and Raila have been involved in these elections in different capacities.
It is perhaps for this reason that the United States of America (USA) has cautioned its citizens against traveling to some regions which have a history of election violence before, during, and after the August 9, General Election.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 3, the US Embassy in Kenya warned its citizens against traveling to Nyanza, a region perceived to be the political bedrock of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy has imposed movement restrictions on personnel in Kisumu. The State Department reminds US citizens of the continued need for sustained vigilance,” read the statement in part.
Apart from movement restrictions, the embassy further advised the netizens to review their personal security plans and update their travel documents.
This comes at a time Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has assured Kenyans that security agencies are adequately equipped to ensure that the upcoming general election is carried out in a peaceful atmosphere.
The super CS pleaded with politicians not to incite their supporters saying that the election is a one-day affair.
“I am pleading with you (politicians) to stop inciting them by abusing their leaders. The government will allow all political leaders to sell their policies without any interference, but they should ensure that law and order are maintained in their meetings,” he said.
