Kibicho dismisses claims of government buying ID cards

The claims have mainly emanated from Kenya Kwanza-allied leaders, who claim that meetings by Interior officials with national government administrative officers might be platforms to influence the outcome of the next elections.

Speaking on Saturday, PS Kibicho trashed such claims as unfounded attempts to seek voter sympathy. He said the government has no business buying the national identity cards of residents as purported.

“Allegations that we are buying ID cards are just meaningless and baseless. We have no need to buy people’s ID cards and I do not understand why we would use them anywhere,” Kibicho stated.

“I can confirm that those are just false allegations.”

The PS further warned politicians against making reckless remarks in an effort to woo voters ahead of the August 9 polls.

“Before politicians make some of these remarks, even though we understand they are seeking sympathy during the election period, let them say at least things that make sense and that they can substantiate,” he said.

With just 8 days to the ballot, the government has meanwhile maintained that it will not shut down the internet and social media platforms during the elections.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Saturday said threats that Facebook would be unavailable are just mere opinions by individuals.

“Some people are saying that maybe during elections we will shut down Facebook…That is a view, the position of the government is very clear; we will respect the Constitution and all the rights of our people. We will not intrude or interfere with the freedoms of our people,” Matiang'i said.

The CS reiterated that the government adheres to democracy and all Kenyans are free to express themselves and continue to enjoy their freedoms, hence there is no reason to shut down social media.

He was responding to comments by National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Commissioner Danvas Makori who threatened to have Meta Inc’s Facebook suspended in Kenya for its apparent lack of adherence to the hate speech regulations spelled out by the Government body.