Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has dismissed a report that identified Garissa County to being among counties perceived as possible post-election violence hotspot.
Jama said Garissa has a history of holding peaceful polls and come August 8, the governor promised that the residents will be peaceful.
The governor while addressing the press at the General Mohamud Idd Grounds regretted that despite the positive image Garissa was named to be among 13 counties that have been zoned as potential hotspots in the General Elections.
He said when the country went through the 2007 and 2008 post elections violence, the region was a safe haven for those fleeing the hotspots then.
“Garissa was a peaceful town and a destination for those who were affected by the skirmishes of 2007 and 2008. What is now worrying us is that Garissa is listed among the 13 hotspot counties,”
“I have talked to my people and urged them that we should have the most peaceful elections. This is to dispel the rumors that the area is a hotspot. We would not allow Garissa to be turned into a violent zone and as leaders we refuse and Garissa will remain peaceful,” said the governor.
Jama urged the politicians to focus on uniting the residents as opposed to making inflammatory remarks that could affect the residents ahead of the General Elections.