Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Fred Matiang’i, has challenged politicians to be tolerant and desist from utterances of incitement.
The CS further added that while the country heads towards the general elections, it is prudent for politicians to refrain from sentiments that may fuel violence and jeopardise peace and stability of the country.
Speaking Thursday in Mombasa while inspecting operations at the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), Dr Matiang’i said elaborate security measures have been put in place to ensure peace prevails throughout the current electioneering period.
“We are asking our leaders particularly the political class to be very careful about their language, the tone of their conversation, their messaging and how they address the public, reduce tension and any possible opportunity for incitement and refrain from habits that would put us into problems,” he said.
The CS further added that the national security agencies have been well equipped with personnel and resources to carry out their mandate efficiently and effectively before, during and after elections.
The CS was also scheduled Thursday to meet County commissioners from the six Coast counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River and Taita Taveta to discuss security and election preparation in the Coast region.
“Part of the reason I am here with the Coast security team led by the Regional Commissioner John Elungata is to look at our level of preparedness and how we are providing services to our people,” he added.
The Interior CS revealed that his meeting with the Coast regional security team to assess the election preparations where he is expected to meet with regional security committee to review measures including the dusk to dawn curfew in some parts of Lamu County.
Matiang’i assured the country that his ministry is committed to support the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as it prepares to conduct general elections in a conducive environment.
“These are tough times and we are not taking things for granted. We need to be alert because the challenge of terrorism is with us. We have to be cautious from time to time. We are enhancing our preparation for our elections and the general security of our country,” added Matiang’i.
The CS said the few incidents of insecurity being experienced in some parts of the country are isolated adding that each incident is being investigated to its logical conclusion.
He urged the political class to engage in constructive campaigns and conversations that will drive the country forward peace instead of fuelling violence.
Matiang’i inspected the Kenya Coast Guard Services where he met top leadership to review the implementation of the new security establishment.
The CS said KCGS has made strides since its inception a year ago and going forward the government will provide more resources to help it carry out its mandate of securing the country’s territorial waters.
The Interior CS added that over 90 per cent of the tasks assigned by the National Security Council chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta in setting up the Coast Guard have been completed.
“The national security council requires us to do constant reviews on how our new security entities like the Coast Guard are doing. We are here to look at those review on whether we are on time with the deadline by the Security Council and the President,”
Dr Matiang’í, who inspected a Coast Guard patrol ship named Doria praised the country’s new security agency led by the Director General Brigadier Naisho Loonena for the exemplary work.
The CS inspected the ship which was built in 2017 and acquired by the government for fishing patrol before being handed over to KCGS to patrol Kenya Coastal territorial waters of the Indian Ocean.
Matiang’i assured the Coastal team that the government will continue to provide them with more resources to ensure they perform their tasks of securing the country’s territorial waters effectively.
By Galgalo Bocha
