Kenyans flee to Uganda over poll clashes

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At least 5,000 Kenyans have crossed to Uganda following the outbreak of violence in the presidential repeat election, the local newspaper Daily Monitor reports.

According to Uganda's Busia District Police Commander, Ezra Tugume, the fleeing Kenyans sought refuge at Uganda’s Sofia and Marachi villages.

"Many people are crossing over to our side due to fear of the violence that has broken out," Tugume said.

According to Tugume, some Ugandans who were working in Kisumu were among those who flee, the report said.

The police commander said that the Busia-Kisumu road is closed as part of the measures to protect local Ugandans.

Anti-riot police are deployed to disperse rioters in Kawangware slums in Nairobi, Kenya October 27, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Tight security has been ensured at the border over fears of political tension in Kenya spreading to neighboring countries.

And Ugandans have also been stopped from crossing to Kenya to avoid raising suspicion that they are going to participate in the voting.

Kenya’s fresh election follows an August vote whose result was annulled by the Supreme Court due to procedural irregularities.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga pulled out of the vote earlier this month, saying the contest against President Uhuru Kenyatta was not going to be fair.

He urged supporters not to take part in the vote and polling stations were unable to open in his strongholds in the west of the country on Thursday.