KENYA POLLS: Raila urges Kenyans to support security agencies

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged Kenyans to fully cooperate with the security agencies deployed all over the country to oversee a smooth voting saying he has full confidence in the capacity of the officers.

Expressing his confidence in the professionalism of the security officers, Mr Odinga who is the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) presidential candidate said he is convinced the officers will carry out their duties with diligence and patriotism in order to deliver a smooth process.

“I have no doubts in the capacity and intelligence of our defence and security officers and I’m sure they will carry out their duty with patriotism and expertise to oversee the great transition ahead of us,” he said in a statement to newsrooms.

Mr Odinga who had cast his ballot early Monday at the Old Kibera Primary School in Kibra constituency, Nairobi County assured the institutions his full support during this election period.

“I have served this country as Prime Minister for the last five years now and I would wish to reiterate my full confidence in these institutions and their leadership,” he added.

Mr Odinga had raised concerns on some specific incidences said they had been addressed and that his actions did not indicate a lack of confidence in the institutions.

“Similarly, my complaint against a specific report by a specific media house does not constitute a condemnation of the entire foreign media fraternity or even that media house,” Mr Odinga added in relation to a story ran by the Financial Times on Saturday.

He said the on-going elections have implications beyond Kenya and that the international media are the eyes of the international community in the exercise.

The international media has lately received a bashing from Kenyans on social media who are claiming that they are only interested in the negatives from the electoral process.

“Let us grant them the access to the information they require to be able to report accurately,” Mr Odinga said.

Kenyans have reportedly come out in large numbers to elect their leaders in the historic elections currently underway countrywide. Most of the voters were reportedly on the queues as early as 3am Monday and the process is expected to come to a close by 5pm in the evening.

Counting of votes is expected to begin immediately the voting ends.