Ahead of the Kenyan general elections slated to take place on 8 August 2017, the Nairobi police commander Japheth Koome has revealed at least 10 hotspots in the country with the potential of violence occurring during and after the elections.

The hotspots include Ziwani, Landhies Road, Globe, Dandora, Makadara, Mowlem Savanah, Mukuru, Sinai, Umoja and all slums.

“The list is long, but generally all informal settlements are on our watch list. These areas have big populations and we shall deploy extra officers. The threat level in these areas is higher,” said Mr Koome.

“Where force is required, we shall be governed by the law. The use of force will depend on circumstances," said the police chief.

Mr. Koome spoke during a briefing of senior officers towards planning on how to maintain law and order during elections campaign period.

A decade ago, postelection violence in Kenya left more than 1,000 people dead and 600,000 displaced from their homes. It was arguably the worst recorded incidents of violence Kenya had experienced since independence from Britain in 1963.

AEP
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