Presidential Candidates to Get At Least 10 Bodyguards Each

The government will provide each of the presidential candidates in the August 9th elections with at least 10 armed police officers to ensure their safety.

Inspector-General of Police Hilary Mutyambai has set aside more than 200 officers drawn from the General Service Unit, Kenya Police, Administration Police, and Prisons Service to guard presidential candidates, and their running mates, according to media reports.

The Constitution states that a presidential election shall be postponed in the event of the death of one of the candidates or their running mates in the period leading to the election.

Clause 138 (8) (b) of the Constitution says: “A presidential election shall be cancelled and a new election held if a candidate for election as President or Deputy President dies on or before the scheduled election date".

Clause 138(9) of the Constitution explains that a new presidential election under clause (8) shall be held within 60 days after the date set for the previous election.

Candidates in this year’s election will be accorded round-the-clock security, with officers assigned to protect them, their offices, and their homes until the conclusion of the general election.

Citizen TV reports that the officers, headed by an inspector, will be assigned to the candidates and their running mates once the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gazettes their names on June 8th.

So far, the electoral commission has cleared five candidates including Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga, Deputy President William Ruto of the UDA party, Prof. George Wajackoyah of Roots Party, Walter Mong'are of Umoja Summit Party, and lawyer David Mwaura Waihiga of the Agano party.