Nkaissery frustrating voter listing exercise in opposition zones – Raila

The Opposition has accused the Ministry of Interior for applying presidential directives selectively.

In a statement to newsrooms, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Raila Odinga, who also doubles up as the leader of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), says that a recent directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta on issuance of national identity cards to Kenyans of voting age is not being applied universally.

“The party notes with concern that the directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta that national identity cards be issued to all Kenyans within three days of application is not being applied universally,” said Odinga in the statement.

ODM says that regions perceived to be its strongholds have been negated by the Ministry of Interior with concentration going only to areas that the ruling Jubilee Party enjoys a substantive backing.

“We have noted that chiefs in Nyanza, Western, the Coast and other regions perceived to be Opposition leaning are being denied the basics like fuel and travel allowances that they need to implement the order by the President,” decried Odinga.

“Equally, registration offices in these areas, including Huduma Centres, are permanently lacking the documents they need to facilitate registration persons.”

Odinga accuses Interior Cabinet Secretary, Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery, of frustrating chief and other administrators in certain areas to an extent of issuing sacking threats.

“In other places, chiefs have been intimidated and have succumbed to the illegal orders by the Interior Minister Joseph Nkaissery that they must not facilitate registration in perceived Opposition zones,” added Mr Odinga.

“This is an attempt at advance rigging of the August polls. We put the Minister on notice that we take his threat to the chiefs and its visible consequences and that he must be prepared to bear its consequences in the fullness of time.”