Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has denied that the Ministry of Interior has been meeting with chiefs across the country to influence the August General Election.
Speaking to the media from Nakuru on Tuesday, CS Matiang’i dismissed critics of the chiefs’ meetings as “ridiculous.”
“If I wasn’t in office, I’d use very strong language,” said CS Matiang’i. “Claims that chiefs are being used are as absurd as they sound.”
CS Matiang’i compares a warning not to meet with Chiefs to a warning not to meet with doctors.
“These are our colleagues; PS Kibicho and I have spent the entire time meeting with chiefs,” CS Matiang’i added.
He also mentioned Trans Nzoia county, where a political rival had warned him not to meet with the chiefs of the region. According to the Interior CS, the concerns are unfounded.
“I met chiefs in Trans Nzoia last year, and they can tell you that there was no political talk,” he said.
“We collaborate with chiefs on any National Government policy that we push at the grassroots level.
.. the fight against FGM, complete school integration… rising HIV rates, and so on, “Matiangi elaborated.
“So, who do you want me to meet?” CS Matiang’i snapped a selfie.
“Politicians are cautioning me not to meet with chiefs and other officials; can you imagine cautioning the health minister not to meet with doctors or the education minister not to meet with teachers?”
According to Matiang’i, the chiefs are his colleagues with whom he communicates daily in order to effectively oversee the National government agenda at the grassroot level.
“Nearly every day, I receive a call from a chief or speak with a chief, a DC, or a county commissioner,” he added.
According to the Interior Minister, meetings with chiefs did not begin during the campaign season and have continued.
According to Matiang’i, the chiefs are his colleagues with whom he communicates daily in order to effectively oversee the National government agenda at the grassroot level.
“Nearly every day, I receive a call from a chief or speak with a chief, a DC, or a county commissioner,” he added.
According to the Interior Minister, meetings with chiefs did not begin during the campaign season and have continued.
