The Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Interior Patrick Ole Ntutu has urged leaders from Northern Kenya to stop inciting their people over the released census figures they are now disputing.
Speaking at Garissa primary school grounds Thursday after launching the refugee deregistration exercise, Ole Ntutu said the census was done by their own sons and daughters and if they are not satisfied with the results, then they should engage the government and stop inciting wananchi.
He told Garissa Governor Ali Korane and Senator Yussuf Haji who were present to lead other leaders from the region in resolving the standoff.
“You (Korane and Hajji) are part of the Jubilee government. Doors to all government offices including the State House are wide open for you. Come, let us sit down and engage. We are ready,” Ole Ntutu said.
“What we will not allow is for you to incite your people. We would not like to go there. But I believe that we shall have some fruitful engagement in the coming days,” he added.
The CAS was reacting to sentiments by the Governor that he will lead the residents in mass demonstrations to prevail upon the government to cancel the census results for the region.
Korane said if the demonstrations fail, the residents may resort to civil disobedience that will include not participating in the 2022 general elections.
This did not go well with the CAS who cautioned the leaders against resorting to acts that would bring them in collision with the government.
Korane claimed that the census results released by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) were doctored and they will not accept them.
He said that the results which will be used to determine the creation of electoral boundaries may see Lagdera and Balambala constituencies scrapped.
Lagdera MP Mohamed Hire said KNBS committed a criminal act by releasing doctored results.
He accused the Interior ministry of being behind the doctoring of the results, adding that the constituents and residents of North Eastern region will not relent in seeking justice in regard to the just released census results.
“We shall be heading to the courts to seek justice,” said the MP.
By Jacob Songok
