Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery has directed chiefs to mobilize more than 500,000 residents in Gusii community with IDs to register as voters as the February 14 deadline nears.
Addressing chiefs at the Kisii National Polytechnic yesterday, Nkaissery said There are 350,000 and 170,000 residents in Kisii and Nyamira counties respectively who have Identity Cards and have not registered as voters.
The CS, accompanied by Education cabinet Secretary, Dr Fred Matiangi and County Commissioner, Samuel Njora and Nyaribari Chache Mp, Richard Tong’i gave the chiefs two weeks to ensure that that 60 percent of the eligible voters register and directed Principal Chiefs from both sides to report to him by Friday next week.
‘’ The government has given you resources to work from home. I urge you to meet the expectation or exceed it” noted Nkaissery, adding the government would provide Assistant chiefs with motorbike to enhance their work.
He deplored the slow pace of registration in both Counties, stressing Nyamira and Kisii Counties have registered 7000 and 20,000 voters respectively and challenged the chiefs to sensitize locals with IDs to rush to register as voters to avoid last minute rush.
Nkaiserry directed the Administrators to attend political rallies and record leaders who incite the public or abuse other leaders to face action to foster peace and stability.
The CS appealed to the leaders to sell their policies peacefully, shun inciting their supporters to cause violence and force voters vote for them as the country heads to the August 8 general polls, stressing the government will not tolerate hate mongers.
He said “never again be a time that we shall be fighting because of seats. It will not happen during my tenure as a Cabinet Secretary” stated Nkaissery.
Matiangi urged the chiefs to closely with government officers and school Heads to enhance a peaceful stable and conducive working environment.
The Education CS appealed to the Administrators to articulate the government policies to residents to embrace and support them, adding Jubilee government has initiated several development projects in Gusii community.