Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

2017 KENYA ELECTIONS

We must deal unapologetically with those who threaten our stability: Matiangi

Matiangi made the comments at a KEPSA event on election preparedness/COSMAS MWONGELA

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 17 – Police will respect human rights while enforcing the law during this electioneering period, but not at the expense of the country’s stability, acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has warned.

Matiang’i says no person, regardless of their status or political affiliation will be spared, if they are found culpable of committing an offence likely to cause violence.

“I know that our colleagues in the human rights sector do raise issues about the right of those who commit these crimes, but take this message, we are conscious of those rights and we will respect them. But we will ensure that those rights do not also interfere with the freedom and rights of others,” he declared.

“In doing so, we are not going to negotiate the stability of the country and we will not negotiate the peace that we need to conduct the elections.”

He has assured that IEBC will be facilitated with enough security measures to ensure they deliver a free, fair and transparent election, without 2007-2008 incidences that claimed over 1000 lives and left 600,000 people internally displaced.

“As Government, we are committed to ensuring that we facilitate free, fair and credible elections. We will do whatever it takes,” he asserted.

He added that “we will ensure the law is followed without fear or favour and we will be firm in ensuring the enforcement of the law.”

Among those being targeted include those misusing social media.

Already, the National Police Service has mapped out areas seen as hotspots, a majority of them being the informal sectors.

On July 14, President Uhuru Kenyatta warned politicians fomenting violence ahead of next month’s General Election to desist or prepare to face the full force of the law, saying his government will not tolerate impunity.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“I am issuing a stern warning to those who imagine they have the right to displace some people, kill or to steal other people’s property. Let them know they are dreaming because Kenyans must live in peace,” the President warned.

He urged Kenyans to cooperate with security forces while emphasising the need for political tolerance across the country.

The Head of State said no violence, not in Laikipia or the other parts country, will occur under his watch.

“We are not saying that we do not have challenges, but a solution cannot be found through threatening your colleague but through dialogue as we were taught by Mzee (GG Kariuki),” he said.

“Let no one think there will be any violence.”

The President was categorical that politicians are always the ones beating the drums of violence, a trend he has vowed to reverse.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News