Matiang’i cautions ‘wash wash’ gangs could manipulate August polls
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has presaged that a well-organized criminal gang of money launderers also known as ‘wash wash’ could manipulate the fast-approaching electoral process.
According to Matiang’i, the government had already identified weak regulations set aside on the number of money campaigns and aspirants can spend and their source of income.
This, according to the CS, poses a risk to the credibility of the August 9 elections, saying that Kenya risked a large chunk of criminals buying their way into parliament.
“The country might have over 40 per cent of elected officeholders becoming our leaders if we allow all the ‘wash wash’ gangs and other criminals to bribe their way in the coming elections,” Matiang’i warned.
Matiang’I further said that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) were not to blame for the weak regulatory framework on campaign financing.
The CS also identified hate speech and incitement to ethnic conflicts as some of the issues that threaten credible polls.
Abuse of social media was also a concern according to Matiang’i which could pose another threat to election security and credibility.
The CS took the opportunity to express his frustrations with the process of prosecuting suspects who have been implicated in social media abuse cases.
“I join my colleagues from government and other key offices in pledging support from security sector players in implementing resolutions for reforming our criminal justice system.
The outspoken CS was speaking in Naivasha during the second National Conference on Criminal Justice Reforms.
He was flanked by Chief Justice Martha Koome, National Cohesion and Integration Commission boss Rev Dr Samuel Kobia and IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati.
Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji, Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss George Kinoti and Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai were also present.
