The government should deploy security personnel to take charge of security details in the ongoing annual Seventh Day Adventist camp meetings in different locations in Gusii region, a senior pastor has said.
The annual camp meetings last for a week in a camp centre and the worshipping festivals are expected to take centre stage in the whole of August and part of early September as part of the church’s tradition.
Pastor Henry Nyamwanda of Nyamira conference on Monday raised his concerns about the security forces that, according to him, had not been allocated to different stations even as the festivals kicked officially on Sunday.
“We have been doing the camp meetings for many years now as part of our tradition. However, I am worried since we haven’t seen police officers deployed in different locations even after making the official request to Kisii Central police station. We are expecting many attendants and that is why security should be taken seriously,” he said.
Nyamwanda said the deployment of security personnel in the meetings will boost confidence among faithful’s hence making the exercise a success.
“We really need these events to be a success and that is why it is important for the police officers to be deployed as per our requests,” he said.
Kisii OCPD Solomon Kiragu confirmed the request and said discussions were underway to ensure at least two officers were stationed in every camp.
“It is true that we received the request a week ago but this is an internal matter because we have to relook at the issue again. However, I am sure we will provide security hence they should not worry,” he said.