- Kibicho has asked the county security team to be on alert and avert any incident that could lead to chaos during and after the election.
- He has hit out at those accusing President Uhuru Kenyatta of appointing the assumption office committee, saying the law allows for that.
Image: FILE
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho has faulted claims by some leaders that the government is using administration officers to rig next month's election.
Speaking on Tuesday, the PS said some leaders allied to Kenya Kwanza are not happy with the meeting of Interior officers, fearing the meetings are meant to influence the outcome of the polls.
He termed allegations of buying of national identity cards of residents as wild, saying the work of administrators is to maintain peace and serve all Kenyans.
“It’s ridiculous for one to think the government is buying IDs through chiefs. For what purpose? Let politicians campaign and sell their manifestos without tainting the names of chiefs and their assistants,” he said.
Kibicho said officers of the Interior ministry usually hold security meetings, saying the forums did not start during this electioneering year.
“We have been meeting chiefs and other members of NGAO [National Government Administrative Officers]. To wake up and start telling us we are buying IDs is just pointless and maybe you have sensed early defeat,” he said.
Kibicho spoke while meeting members of NGAO in Murang’a University of Technology.
The PS said as government officers, they are mandated to maintain security and are determined to ensure the election is conducted in a peaceful environment.
Some Kenya Kwanza-allied leaders have in the recent past alleged that the government is out to assist the Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga win the next election by ensuring low voter turnout in areas where the coalition is popular.
Kibicho asked the county security team to be on alert and avert any incident that could lead to chaos during and after the election.
“We are also doing civic education to inform people to elect leaders of integrity. When we advise our people not to elect corrupt leaders, some people are becoming angry yet we did not mention anyone’s name,” he said.
The PS added that it’s crucial for Kenyans to look at issues of transparency and integrity, among others, on all those seeking various elective positions.
Kibicho hit out at those accusing President Uhuru Kenyatta of appointing the assumption office committee, saying the law allows for that.
“The assumption committee was there in 2013 and 2017 to ensure transition of governance is in accordance with the law and so those complaining about the members of the committee should refer to the constitution,” he said.
(edited by Amol Awuor)