Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has instructed county commissioners and grassroots administrators to prioritise the security of women aspirants in next General Elections.
Matiang’i instructed County Commissioners and other National Government Administration Officials (NGAOs) to create a database of all female aspirants and to map out their security needs.
Speaking in Limuru where he was commissioning the New Ndeiya Sub-County headquarters the CS said special attention will be given to women aspirants and specifically their protection against any form of intimidation or violence.
“This time round the Government aims to support women participants… Women should not be harassed or intimidated while looking for electoral seats,” said Matiang’i.
Each administrator will be expected to beef up women candidates’ security needs against violence and harassment as the Government deliberately seeks to boost compliance with the one-third gender rule on elected leaders.
“The maturity of our democracy will be tested on the level of participation of every voter and aspirant in the elections, including women and the vulnerable population,” Dr. Matiang’i said.
He also dismissed allegations of interfering with the mandate of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) saying they were only creating the right environment for the electoral body to discharge its duties in line with their official dockets.
“We, in the security sector, do not conduct elections – that is the mandate of the IEBC, and our work is only to support the Commission by providing security,” Dr. Matiang’i said.
Matiang’i also revealed that the Government is working towards making sure that the next elections will be the most peaceful elections ever conducted in the Country.
“The Government will not be provoked into engaging its detractors in cheap rhetoric, I urge government administrators to focus on assigned duties without undue pressure from politicians, since our job as Public officers is to uphold zero tolerance policy on those who encourage political intolerance,” Dr. Matiang’i said.
By Grace Naishoo
