• CS says both the NGOs and the government are partners in development.
• He says state will support the NGOs Coordination Board with more resources.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has urged non-state actors to join President Uhuru Kenyatta in the fight against corruption.
Matiang’i said non-governmental organisations should start educating Kenyans on good governance so that they desist from electing leaders based on the ‘highest bidders’.
“Let us start deepening conversations on issues of governance. Start now and educate our people,” Matiang’i said.
The CS added, “Sensitise people on those whom to pledge their loyalty to. Unless we are keen on this, we will destroy our country.
Matiang’i spoke on Tuesday when he presided over the launch of the Annual NGOs Sector Report 2018-19 and NGOs Coordination Board’s Strategic Plan 2020-22 in Nairobi.
“Kenyans need to be taught on values of honesty so they do not elect the highest bidder, let’s start voter education now."
Conversations should be held on issues that unite the country to build a better society, Matiang'i said.
“Entrenching and living with the culture of difference, there is nothing wrong if we disagree on issues.”
The CS lauded the non-state actors stating that they were doing a great job contributing to the nation’s development and achievement of the government’s Big Four agenda.
He said both the NGOs and the government were partners in development, adding that without NGO contribution, the county would not have achieved its development agenda.
He stated that the NGOs had evolved over the years and that the country has developed a solid partnership with them.
Matiang’i said the report he launched would enhance accountability among non-state actors.
“We are ready, willing and deeply prepared for the partnership and move forward. In the modern-day, Kenya is for all of us,” he added.
He said the time when the government was at loggerheads with NGOs was long gone.
The government together with Policing Sector Reforms organisations engaged in human rights, Matiang’i said, has achieved some police reforms despite having occasional disagreements.
They will also achieve reforms on police housing and stations, the CS said.
“It is in our best interest to ensure that we strengthen you, enhance your level of delivery as a sector. We will support the board with more resources."
He said they will make sacrifices within the government’s budget to provide the board with more vehicles and regional offices for regional meetings for easier interaction with citizens.
Matiang'i said they should have a midway house to operationalise the BPO Act.
He said he will soon gazette the Act’s commencement dates.
Edited by R.Wamochie