Tororo Authorities Gazette Two Schools As Refugee Centers Amid Kenyan Polls
TORORO – Tororo district authorities have earmarked Oriyoi primary school in Morukatipe sub-county and St. Jude primary school in Malaba town council as reception centres for refugees from Kenya in case today’s polls turn violent.
According to Tororo district authorities, the chaotic 2007 Kenyan elections taught them a lesson where they registered over 2000 refugees resulting from post-election violence.
Tororo Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Albert Amula, says that they are in touch with the United Nations High commissioner for Refugees and the Uganda Red Cross Society to camp in the area and provide support should the situation get out of hand.
Tororo municipality Member of parliament, Apollo Yeri Ofwono, says that several Kenyans have started crossing into Uganda and checked in several hotels a clear signal that there is a need for prior preparations.
He appealed to Ugandans to welcome anybody coming in from Kenya and accord them a conducive environment at the time when they need their support. The Bukedi South region Police Commander, Julius Ceaser Tusingwire, says that they have tightened security along the border stretching from Majanji to Elgon in preparations for any eventualities.
Kenya Decides
Kenya’s 22,120,448 registered voters will go to the polls this year to elect their next president, in a tussle that has attracted four eccentric contenders: George Wajackoyah of the Roots Party, David Mwaure of the Agano Party, William Ruto of Kenya Kwanza, and Raila Odinga of Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya.
There are 7,483 eligible voters in various prisons across Kenya, and some 10,443 Kenyans in the Diaspora
The election has drawn a smattering of political parties; 63 in total, with at least 11,330 candidates running for various seats within the political parties.
The grand political contest has also drawn 3752 independent candidates vying for various seats across the country.
According to IEBC election data, 261 women are running for County MP seats across the counties, while 1,473 people are running for Member of Parliament seats.
Other candidates include 9,142 people who are running for County Assembly, while 183 and 263 people are running for Governor and Senator, respectively.