Sunday, February 17, 2013

State denies plot to rig elections

Government spokesman Muthui Kariuki (R) at a past press briefing. (Photo:File/Standard)

By Cyrus Ombati
Nairobi, Kenya: The Government has denied claims there is a plot to rig the coming General Election in favour of Jubilee coalition.
Government spokesman Muthui Kariuki said the claims lack basis arguing none is planning the rigging claims.
He said the script by CORD coalition on the claims was an all too familiar scheme like in 2007 when they were preparing the ground for rejection of the outcome of poll.
“It should be noted that the same day General Julius Karangi is purported to have chaired a meeting he was actually in Uganda and there are facts to back that. So how is this possible?” asked Kariuki.
He asked the CORD team to look for other campaign strategies than mere accusations that distabilises the country.
Public servants warned
He argued head of Public Service Francis Kimemia had issued a circular warning civil servants against engaging in politics.
“He warned them or else they face disciplinary action, is this same person who is allegedly wooing the Provincial Administration to drum support for one candidate.”
Mr Kimemia issued circular on February 11 warning civil servants to disengage themselves from politics or else they will face disciplinary action.
It came in the wake of counter accusations from both the Jubilee and CORD coalitions both aimed at the Office of President, which they claim has authorized the Provincial Administration to campaign for the competition.
“I had to issue the circular since both CORD and Jubilee presented their grievances claiming we had instructed public servants to campaign for either or. This is false, public servants ought to remain non-partisan we are professionals and not politicians,” Kimemia said later on Sunday.
He said he does not favour any of the alliances and issued warning to all civil servants including DCs, Dos, chiefs and assistant chiefs against campaigning for any of the political parties.
Kariuki claimed NIS boss Gen Michael Gichangi is an intelligent person and cannot go about holding campaign meetings in an open place like Pizza Garden.
CORD had on Saturday alleged that Chief of Defence Forces Julius Karangi, National Intelligence Service Director-General Michael Gichangi and Head of Civil Service Francis Kimemia were actively involved in Uhuru's campaigns.
CORD claimed that Kimemia recently met six permanent secretaries in Elementaita and advised them to support Jubilee.
They added members of the Provincial Administration had been directed to draw up a strategy of suppressing voter turnout against one candidate.
Muthui said he had called Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka who is part of the CORD team to express the “government's disappointment”.



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