KENYA– The government has criticised the international media for using ‘fake violence photos’ in different parts of the country to depict the country wrongly.
“We take offence from accredited international media houses who have chosen to mislead the public by using images and video clips from 2007,” acting interior CS Fred Matiangi said.
In a statement on Thursday night, Matiangi said the media houses have been using other unrelated incidents to create a misleading impression of the security situation.
“We continue to urge the media to seek clarification and verification from authorities before publishing any security related information so as not to cause undue alarm and tension in the country,” he said.
Matiang’i said Kenya has requested private security firms, international agencies or any other entity issuing security alerts to consult the National Police Service.
Angry protests erupted in opposition strongholds in Nairobi and Kisumu areas as the counting of votes from Tuesday’s election continued, but the election commission said the election had been free and fair.
Police allegedly shot dead at least two people in the areas.
Incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta faced off with Opposition leader Raila Odinga.
As at Friday 9 am, Uhuru was leading with 8,164 507 votes while Raila had 6,748 392 votes.
Although the violence remained largely contained, Kenyans were nervously hoping to avoid a repetition of the ethnic killings that followed a disputed 2007 presidential poll, when some 1,200 people died.
TERROR SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Matiang’i further said they had arrested four suspects at the border of Kenya and Somalia.
“Four terror suspects arrested and have been arraigned in court. Our surveillance and security operations along the borders remained heightened which deterred any attempts by terrorist groups to disrupt voting,” he said.
Matiang’i said all reported and observed electoral malpractice suspects have also been arrested and taken to court.
“We continue to be alert and assure the nation of your continued safety,” he said.
He urged Kenyans to be alert and report any suspicious criminal activities or any grouping of criminals to alert the police through emergency lines 999,112 and 0800724956.
On July 30, Mombasa police arrested a wanted terror suspect at a hideout in Mtopanga and are pursuing others who have been on their radar.
Mustapha Juma Nassir, whose real name is Kahir Murit, is an al Shabaab trainee.
Earlier in July, police released pictures of wanted terror suspects and placed millions of shillings in bounties on their heads.
The suspects include Abdullahi Jarso Kotolo aka Seyfdeen, Hassan Jarso Kotolo, Hassan Abdalla Mushi and James Kimanthi Masai.
Others are Hamisi Swalleh Abdalla and Rama Mbwana Mbega aka Junia, who is said to be hiding in Boni Forest where the terror group has operational bases.
©The Star
