GSU dispatched to Naivasha

By Antony Gitonga                             

The government has dispatched two platoons of the dreaded GSUofficers to Naivasha ahead of the elections.

The GSU was deployed alongside the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) and Anti-stock theft unit in the area considered hotspot.

Confirming the arrival of the officers, Naivasha DC Mohammed Abass said that they had enough personnel and vehicles to deal with any rioters.

 “We have enough officers drawn from GSU, RDU and Anti-stock theft unit and we warn those intending to cause chaos that we are keenly watching the situation,” he said.

 Abass assured area residents and those thinking of fleeing that their security was guaranteed ahead and after the elections.

Meanwhile, the DC has denied reports that flower workers will not be allowed to vote in the generalelections slated for Monday next week.

 Abass said the district security committee had made proper arrangements for security in areas under flower farming to make sure the workers participated in the process.

According to him, flower farmers had agreed to allow their workers to vote in shifts on Monday which has been announced as a public holiday.

The administrator was reacting to reports that various farms were planning to lock out their workers from taking part in the elections.

“We have had discussions with the farmers and we hope the voting process in their areas will run smoothly,” he said.

The DC warned the employers who will not let their workers vote that they will be dealt with accordingly as it was the worker’s right to play a part in the electoral process.

On her part Naivasha constituency IEBC coordinator Mildred Wachiye said they were making final preparations ahead of the big day.

Wachiye said she had not received reports over the flower farmers and added that the law was clear on the voting process.

“We are working closely with the provincial administration and we are not taking anything by chance to ensure a peaceful election,” she said.

She said if the reports were true, the DC would inform the employers through writing so that the workers would be allowed to vote.