Security in Busia beefed up as campaigns gather pace

Busia town residents on Wednesday morning woke up to heavy security deployment in the town ahead of the launch of Deo Hasubi Njoki's campaigns.

Njoki is the joint opposition candidate in the Busia district race which is also being eyed by NRM's Boniface Paul Oguttu, and independents Tonny Ojambo, Geoffrey Wandera and Crispus Bwire.

Though the situation was calm, Police and the military patrolled all roads in Busia town to ensure peace.

Njoki is scheduled to launch his campaigns at Madibira Primary School in the western division of Busia Municipality.

Sources in the opposition had indicated that opposition figures like Robert Kyagulanyi were in the area though they have not yet been seen in public.

The campaigns which started five days ago have been very peaceful with no major incidents have been reported apart from isolated cases of the electorate refusing to be addressed by some of the candidates.

The Busia district Police commander, Eriya Elepot, confirmed the deployment saying it is in line with Police's duty of protecting lives and property.

He asked the public to remain calm noting the situation is under control and that those planning to attend the rally should go there and leave without disturbing other people's peace.

However, opposition supporters that spoke to New Vision condemned the heavy deployment saying it was deliberate and intended to intimidate their supporters from attending the rally.

The seat district seat fell vacant in May when the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision to remove Ouma Adea from office on grounds that he was ineligible to contest in the 2016 general elections having been convicted for abuse of office by the Anti-Corruption Court in 2014.

Voting is slated for November 28.