Security intensified in Naivasha ahead of Saba Saba

Naivasha, Kenya: The Government has intensified security in Naivasha town with more officers drawn from the dreaded General Service Unit (GSU) sent to the town three days to the Saba Saba rally.

This came as the number of those fleeing continued to rise despite concerted efforts by security officers and religious leaders to assure them that all was well.

The GSU officers joined those drawn from AP, regular police and the anti-stock theft in patrolling the town which bore the blunt of the 2007-08 violence.

According to the new Naivasha sub county commissioner Abraham Kemboi, contingents of police had been deployed to key areas and called on locals to cooperate with them.

The new administrator noted that Naivasha was a hotspot for violence adding that they had put in necessary measures to avert a possible ethnic clash.

Kemboi who later addressed public baraza's at Karagita, Kabati and Kihoto areas in the lake side town downplayed the issue of residents moving out of the town for security reasons.

"Those who are leaving are going on holiday and not as a result of security reasons and police will continue keeping vigil in all the areas here," he said.

He called on residents to ignore the ongoing rumors of leaflets been circulated in the town saying than none had been reported this week.

"The issue was reported three weeks ago and we acted accordingly where two suspects were arrested and arraigned in court," he said.

Speaking during the baraza at Karagita, Kemboi urged the residents to live together and ignore calls by politicians to stage mass protests.

He added that peace was key to driving the economy noting that everyone had a duty to participate in nation building.

"I call on you to report to your work stations on Monday as none of the politicians will bring food to your table if you fail to work," he said.

Others who spoke were Naivasha OCPD Charles Kortok and DCIO Martin Mbaya who said that police will work extra hard to ensure that the area was calm.

Kortok said several measures had been taken to avert a possible occurrence of violence noting that those leaving were workers on leave.