This archive report was first published on 2 November 2021.
On November 2, 2021, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i directed security officers to protect women from violence and harassment during campaigns.
He urged all organs to ensure the safety of female candidates and asked aspirants to exercise political maturity ahead of the 2022 polls.
“From the assistant chiefs to regional commissioners, our job is to provide security. Our intention as a government is to ensure the next elections are more stable than all previous polls. We’ll focus on the security of female candidates who have previously been victims of gender-based violence during the campaigns,” Dr Matiang’i said.
Dr Matiang’i clarified that he has no role in the conduct of elections, dismissing accusations of partisanship by Deputy President William Ruto’s camp.
He stated that the Interior ministry cannot guide the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on how to do its work.
“Our job is to work for all Kenyans and we have no role in the decision making of IEBC. It has its chairman, Mr Wafula Chebukati, and as a security organ, we can only supplement what they ask for during the elections. So ignore some of these things being peddled around,’’ he said.
He was speaking in Limuru accompanied by Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, who has also been a target of attacks by the DP’s camp.
Dr Kibicho warned residents not to be confused by people who want to mislead them in the run up to elections.
“I urge you not to be confused by some people and make the wrong decisions. People who have not accomplished anything and whose aim is to cause distraction and instability in the country,” he said.
