Matiang’i Shrugs Off Claims of Vote-Rigging

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has assured Kenyans that security agencies will not interfere with the upcoming elections.

Matiang’i termed politicians’ claims of vote-rigging in the August 9th elections as propaganda and urged Kenyans to treat such talk with the contempt it deserves.

“I am not aware of any plans to interfere with the general election. Those who are making those claims have not substantiated them. We are treating the claims with the contempt they deserve. None of them have said how it’s going to happen,” Matiang’i said in an interview with NTV.

He accused a section of political leaders of trying to paint security agencies in a bad light in order to convince Kenyans that they lack the capacity to oversee the forthcoming elections.

The cabinet secretary gave an assurance that the government has put in place adequate measures to guarantee security during the electioneering period.

“We mapped the country and looked at areas where we would have some vulnerabilities, I can assure Kenyans we have no evidence or indication whatsoever that there is any cause to worry. Some political players have been on the campaign trail for four years, and nothing has happened. We are much better prepared for these elections than for the past two. We have more resources,” Matiang’i stated.

Matiang’i affirmed that security agencies will not take sides and will act within the law during the election period and beyond.

“We changed the Constitution but many of our political players didn’t change. The NPS is an independent entity. The law requires that if I have to direct the IG, I have to put it in writing, Since I became minister for Interior, I have only written once to Boinnet and once to Mutyambai. The IG and DCI do not work at my behest,” he said.