Coast Regional police boss Larry Kieng during a past media briefing in his office. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
Security personnel in the Coast region will use helicopters to conduct air patrols during today’s (Thursday) repeat presidential election.Coast regional police boss Larry Kieng has assured residents of enhanced security as they take part in the repeat poll following the nullification of President Uhuru Kenyatta‘s re-election by the Supreme Court. Kieng said the patrols are aimed at ensuring the voting exercise goes on smoothly without any incidences of violence.He asked residents not to fear exercising their democratic right of voting as police officers have been deployed in all polling stations in the Coast region.“Every polling station has received their voting materials. We are to ensure all voting centres are secured. All officers have been deployed to man polling stations, voting materials, voters and election officials,” said Kieng.Kieng put the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) on notice, warning that the group will not be allowed to disrupt the polls.He further warned NASA supporters against holding demonstrations, arguing that opposition leaders had not notified police of any planned protests."We have not received any notification for protests. We have enough machinery to deal with you," he said.Kieng confirmed that he has received intelligence reports about persons planning to disrupt the polls in Bongwe Village, Kwale County, an area which is said to have been invaded by MRC members and al-Shabaab militants."Anyone who is threatening voters will be dealt with ruthlessly. We will arrest them…. Police are patrolling the area and others which we deemed insecure. We have mapped out places we suspect to be insecure and deployed enough police. We will respond promptly to any eventuality using the helicopters,” said Kieng, as quoted by the Nation.The police boss urged residents to maintain peace during and after the voting exercise.