by Chris Mgidu and Njoroge Kaburo
NAIROBI, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police said Tuesday security will be enhanced in Nairobi's major informal settlements, which have been mapped as hotspots ahead of the August elections.
Nairobi County Police Commander Japheth Koome told journalists that threat level in the areas in the hotspots areas is marginally higher.
"We are closely monitoring areas with a large population, of course there are many other places but we are prioritizing the areas I have mentioned," Koome said after a meeting of security chiefs in Nairobi.
Koome said the police have now deployed enough personnel to ensure the environment is safe and secure for the residents and visitors.
According to City Hall, there are 60 informal settlements in Nairobi.
Koome reassured residents that security agencies are working towards ensuring that security is beefed up by deploying more of their personnel to these hotspots.
Koome said he could not guarantee there would not be use of force. However, he said officers will act rationally in the event of such scenario.
Koome's remarks came after a U.S.-based rights group called on authorities to urgently investigate allegations of threats and intimidation between community members in Nakuru County's Naivasha area as the elections approaches.
The post-election violence that followed the 2007 presidential election has forced more than 650,000 people to be displaced across Kenya.
There are renewed fears of violence as the 2017 poll is attracting unprecedented competitions among political parties and aspirants at both local and national levels.
Most of these settlements are densely populated, are around major estates and are spread allover Nairobi, where the competition is more competitive.
