The Cabinet has directed police to ensure tight security at the start of national exams especially at the Coast where MRC has allegedly threatened to disrupt the exercise.

The police have also warned MRC members who interfere with voter registration to be ready to face charges related to election offences.

Security agents have also been ordered to sustain their onslaught on the gang and other militias in the country.

“Security forces must to ensure national examinations that are set to begin on Monday October 15, 2012 are held in a secure environment especially in the Coast region where the MRC has threatened to disrupt the examinations, “read part of a statement by PPS.

On interference

And in Mombasa, deputy Police spokesman Charles Owino asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to report those interfering with registration of voters.

“The police will help the IEBC conduct voter registration by ensuring nobody interferes with the exercise,” said Owino.

He assured the IEBC officials the police was prepared to ensure nobody causes violence during election time.

“We are prepared to deal with criminal gangs which have emerged and are bent to disrupt the elections,” said Owino.

The deputy spokesman said this at Leisure Lodge after addressing IEBC officials in a seminar on how to conduct a good election next year.

He ordered police officers to shoot at criminal gangs to protect the lives of members of the public under threat. He said the officers have authority to protect members of the public and their property from criminals who are a threat to peace in the country.

Dealt with

“The guns police officers have are not for decoration but are meant to protect lives of citizens under threat from criminals,” said Owino.

He warned criminals posing as MRC members that they will be dealt with as individuals because the police does not know how MRC looks like.

“These are just criminals who want work under the banner of MRC whose identity does not exist,” said Owino.

He assured officers that they had the support of the Cabinet in executing their duty and should not fear to use reasonable force when protecting lives and property.

“We have the moral support of the Cabinet for the use of reasonable force when the lives of citizens and officers are under threat,” said Owino.

He however, cautioned them not to use excessive force.

The Government is rallying Coast MPs and religious leaders to confront the security challenges posed by the MRC even as their top leaders are being sought to answer charges of incitement.

Coast MPs have confirmed they have been invited to a crucial leaders’ meeting in Mombasa on Monday to strategise on how to address insecurity in the region.

Even as the legislators geared up for the peace talks, a number of MRC leaders are still in prison remand after failing to raise bail.

MRC Secretary General, Mr Hamza Randu and spokesman Mr Mohamed Rashid Mraja were remanded at Shimo La Tewa prison after failing to raise Sh2 million bond each.

Peace restoration

On Thursday, police intensified the search for MRC chairman, Mr Omar Mwamnwadzi who is also wanted to face incitement charges. The police crackdown is aimed at breaking up the secessionist group that Coast MPs have failed to publicly condemn.

On Monday, the legislators would be expected to candidly begin discussion on restoration of peace in Kwale, Mombasa and Kilifi where the movement had been strong.

They would also chart the way forward for Tana River County, which recently experienced an orgy of ethnic violence that claimed the lives of up to 120 people including nine police officers.

Internal Security Minister Katoo ole Metito held a meeting with a section of Coast leaders over the gang on Tuesday ahead of other meetings scheduled for next week.

Officials said the agenda of the closed-door meeting was on logistics and conduct of the ongoing crackdown against the secessionist group.