Roundup: Police tighten security as Kenya holds national fete

Kenyan authorities on Wednesday deployed thousands of police officers at strategic positions across the country to maintain security as the country holds national fete to mark 53 years of self-internal rule.

The Opposition leaders are holding their celebrations in Nairobi while President Uhuru Kenyatta will be leading the nation in marking the festivities in Nakuru, about 180 km northwest of Nairobi.

Several roads leading to Nakuru central business district were closed in a bid to enhance security in the busy town which will be hosting the national celebrations of the 53rd Madaraka celebrations for the first time.

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Wanyama Musyambu however said some roads have been closed as pedestrians would be allowed to use the roads.

The government administrator assured Kenyans that security measures have been put in place and adequate personnel to ensure that the public enjoy all the celebrations in a safe and secure place.

"We have beefed up security in Nakuru and its environs. The security officers are under firm instructions to ensure there is maximum security to the visitors," Musyambu said by telephone.

The Nakuru celebrations will be presided over by President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto with several cabinet secretaries, governors, legislators and diplomats expected to attend.

In both Nairobi and Nakuru celebrations, all persons and vehicles accessing the stadium had to undergo through security checks. Members of public made their way into the stadium early enough to avoid last minute rush and long queues at the entrances.

In Nairobi, the police confirmed they are holding five people who were headed for the Opposition rally in central Nairobi with crude weapons.

Kilimani divisional police commander Peter Kattam confirmed the arrest, saying they have not established the motive of the suspects who tried to gain entry into Uhuru Park in Nairobi, the venue where the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy's (CORD) rally.

"The men who were aboard a passenger matatu (minibus) heading to the grounds were arrested before they could gain entry into Uhuru Park. They will be questioned about their motive," he said.

Kattam said security has been beefed up and CORD supporters have been allowed to access the Uhuru Park grounds regardless of an earlier report that wanted CORD leaders to hold their rally in another venue.

The High Court had Tuesday ordered that the Opposition be allowed to hold the rally at the historic national grounds and be provided with security.

The celebration comes as the government continues to face various challenges, including security which is posing a challenge to the country's security forces after repeated attacks at the border points.

Kenyans marked the day from the rest of the counties and sub counties. The celebrations were led by county governors and county commissioners across the country.

"We have increased security not only in Nakuru where national independence celebrations are taking place but also across the country where celebrations are being held," a senior police officer told Xinhua.

The police officer said dozens of security personnel have thrown a cordon off Uhuru Park grounds in Nakuru and at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru to ward off any threats of terrorist activities from any quarters.

"Security is tight. We are not taking any chances. We have deployed more police officers to provide security," he said.

The enhanced security came after Somali militants vowed to carry out attacks on unspecified dates and location in Kenya in retaliation to the cross border incursion by Kenyan soldiers in 2011.

The police early this week urged Kenyans to remain vigilant during the holy month of Ramadan and assist the police to deter any terror activities by Al-Shabaab elements who may have already infiltrated into the country.

The country had in the recent past been subjected to successive explosives attacks by Al-Shabaab operatives in the country following the onslaught by Kenyan soldiers on the militants in Somalia after the militia staged a series of attacks along the Kenyan coast. Enditem