A senior police commander has broken the silence on the recent wave of traffic disruptions and diversions.
Police Cite Security, Public Order in Campaign Trail Traffic Diversions, ACP Mkituuma Clarifies Rationale
06/October/2025
by Y.Emma#lcctv reporter
A senior police commander has broken the silence on the recent wave of traffic disruptions and diversions coinciding with presidential campaign motorcades, framing them as necessary measures for national security and public order, rather than political interference.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Samuel Mkituuma, in a press briefing outlined three primary reasons for the traffic management measures: “The primary and non-negotiable duty of the National Police Service is the protection of life and property,” ACP Mkituuma stated. “A presidential candidate’s motorcade is a high-value target. Our intelligence-driven operations sometimes necessitate last-minute route changes and traffic control to create a secure bubble, deter potential threats, and ensure the safety of the candidate, their supporters, and the general public.”
He explained that campaign convoys often attract large, spontaneous crowds that can spill onto major highways, creating a significant risk of accidents and stampedes. “We cannot stand by when citizens are in danger. Diverting traffic away from these unpredictable gatherings is a standard public safety procedure to prevent tragedy.”
Contrary to public perception, Mkituuma argued that the diversions are also meant to help non-political road users. “A campaign convoy of dozens of vehicles can bring a city’s traffic to a standstill for hours. By creating a managed corridor and diverting other traffic to alternative routes, we aim to contain the disruption to a specific area and timeframe, ultimately reducing the overall inconvenience to Kenyans going about their daily lives.”
When pressed on whether these measures were being applied evenly across all major candidates, ACP Mkituuma maintained that the police service is impartial. “Our operational decisions are based on threat assessments, convoy size, planned routes, and the real-time situation on the ground, not the political affiliation of the candidate,” he asserted. “We apply the same standard of security and public order management to all aspirants who qualify for this level of protection.”
The explanation has been met with mixed reactions. Representatives from campaigns that have experienced significant diversions have expressed skepticism, calling the reasons a “smokescreen for political manipulation” designed to slow their momentum.
Conversely, other political actors have supported the police, urging all candidates to cooperate with security agencies for the sake of national stability. Members of the public remain divided, with some expressing understanding of the security challenges, while others continue to decry the hours lost in traffic jams caused by the diversions.
ACP Mkituuma concluded by appealing for public understanding and cooperation, acknowledging the inconvenience while stressing the primacy of security. He indicated that the police would continue to review and refine their traffic management strategies as the campaign season intensifies.
This clarification from a senior police official sets the stage for an ongoing public conversation about the balance between seamless political campaigning and the imperatives of national security and public order in a charged electoral environment.
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