Matiang’i : 8 People Detained in Connection with Hate Leaflets in Uasin Gishu and will be Charged

Eight suspects, according to Interior Ministry Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, have been detained in connection with hate pamphlets that allegedly advised some communities to leave Uasin Gishu before the presidential election on August 9.

A security review is proceeding to allay growing unease in two regions of the Rift Valley, according to CS Matiang’i, who claims that the perpetrators would be brought before the court.

“We are doing a security review especially in view of occurrences of a bit of anxiety in one or two regions of the rift valley,” CS Matiang’i said on Tuesday.

“We have 8 suspects who we suspected of sharing the leaflets and they should be taken to court, none of those people are employees of the president,” 

The National Security Council has directed the deployment of more resources, according to the head of the Interior Ministry.

“I confirm that the national security council has ordered more resources, you will see more of our security teams in Molo, Kuresoi, Nessuit just to be ready to rise up to any challenge,” CS Matiang’i added. 

According to Matiang’i, security teams would increase patrol at the borders of Uasin Gishu and Eldoret and deploy more aircraft resources if any problems occur.

CS Matiang’i also reaffirmed the commitment of his ministry to maintaining peace before, during, and after the elections.

Each county and sub-county, according to Matiang’i, has a regionally tailored multi-agency elections preparation committee entrusted with supervising orderly voting.

“Each one of these county commissioners that you see here have created their multi-agency elections preparedness committee in their counties,” CS Matiang’i said.

“Each of these commissioners is meeting religious leaders, civic leaders in their counties discussing the peace and stability of their counties,”

“I can assure you, I have intelligence officers here, Kenyans are peaceful and are determined to have a peaceful election,” 

A multi-command center has been established in Nakuru in the interim. If there is a need, the center can call, according to CS Matiang’i.

“The turnaround time should be minutes,” CS Matiang’i added.

With the elections just a week away, Matiang’i advised lawmakers to use good judgment during the press conference.

“Many have traversed across the area now we are on the home stretch to be responsible with their utterances, everyone should be responsible,” he said.