Government Assures Development Partners Of Smooth Post-Kenyatta Transition

The Kenyan government has reassured development partners of its preparedness to ensure a smooth transition of power as the August 9 elections draw closer.

In a statement issued on Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said elaborate plans were in place to ensure instruments of power would be handed over to the next government in a peaceful manner.

CS Matiang’i further noted that security agencies would be deployed and mobilized to provide adequate support to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The CS spoke during a briefing meeting of the Cabinet Committee on National Government development projects and development partners held at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi on Monday,

“Today, we have given assurance to our partners that, as a country, we are ready to proceed and facilitate the IEBC to conduct the elections. The agencies that have got the constitutional mandate to facilitate the Commission during the elections are represented here,” he said.

CS Matiang’i also underscored the recent national multi-sectoral consultative forum that was chaired by Chief Justice Martha Koome on elections preparedness saying it was critical in ensuring the credibility of the polls.

At the same time, he dismissed concerns that the forum was usurping the role of the IEBC saying the electoral body was well aware of its role to Kenyans.

“Whether the country will have free and fair elections is a question that only Chebukati and the IEBC can answer. We are clear that is the mandate of the IEBC. Ours is to provide whatever support IEBC requires to get it done,” the CS said.

ICT CS Joe Mucheru who was also in the meeting rubbished recent claims by politicians of the State interfering with the broadcasting of the elections saying that the media space would be respected and the internet would not be shut down.

“We sadly note there is a lot of abuse of the media in the country and especially on social media. But we will not shut it down despite the provocation and temptation to do so,” CS Mucheru said.

British High Commissioner, Jane Marriot however raised concerns about whether key foreign investments would be negatively affected by election-related activities.

In his response, CS Matiang’i said the Government will hold regular briefing sessions on election preparedness with stakeholders.

“We have taken counsel from our partners and observations from them in a number of issues. As a country, we are much better because of the support we have received materially and in terms of policy advice,” the CS explained.

He added: “We are grateful that they are forthcoming in engaging with us on all the programmes that we have.”

In the meeting, issues such as the security environment, post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery Strategy and the budget implications for the completion of priority projects were also tabled.

French envoy to Kenya Aline Kuster-Menager, who is also the lead in convening the diplomatic corps lauded regular briefing sessions saying they reinforced development partners’ confidence in the country as an ideal investment destination.

 “It is important for us partners as a group to interact very closely during this election times. It’ll help us better understand how the government is organising itself to achieve its results and bring continuity to our processes,” she said.

Treasury CS Ukur Yatani said the country’s economy was on the rebound with projected average GDP growth of 7.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year.

CS Yatani spelled out that the stimulus packages implemented by the state to cushion the economy during the pandemic were bearing fruits with agriculture and the hospitality industries recording impressive growth.

Other leaders who graced the event included; Attorney General Kihara Kariuki, Environment CS Keriako Tobiko, Principal Secretaries Macharia Kamau, Julius Muia, and Chris Kiptoo, Deputy IG Noor Gabow, representatives of the UN agencies, the World Bank and other envoys to Kenya.