Matiang’i Assures Chiefs Of Their Job Security And Protection Against Attacks From Politicians

MAKUENI,Kenya, Nov, 25 – The government will protect chiefs and other grassroots officers from political harassment in the run-up to next year’s general elections.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said there were numerous attempts by politicians and their associates to instigate the transfer or sackings of government officials on flimsy grounds.

The CS who was addressing deputy county commissioners, assistant county commissioners, chiefs and their assistants from Makueni County assured the administrators that their jobs were safe as long as they were professional in their duties and were executing the government agenda.

“We are aware of many demands and threats by politicians for the sackings and transfers of government officers. The day we allow politicians to manage our personnel, we will have lost our focus. We will protect you for as long as your only crime is prosecuting the Government agenda,” the CS said.

He however cautioned chiefs and other administrators against dabbling in partisan politics saying they were duty-bound to support the government of the day by actively popularizing its policies.

The CS who was accompanied by Secretary of Administration Wilson Njega and Makueni County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed said more vehicles will be made available to grassroots administrators through the vehicle leasing program

He said the Ministry was keen to groom and promote officers across the NGAOs structure on merit.

“There is absolutely no reason why a hard-working chief should not rise to become a county commissioner or an even more senior rank. We have a deliberate programme to encourage chiefs to upgrade their certificates and to aspire to higher levels of leadership.”

Matiang’i later proceeded to Kajiado County where he presided over the installation of Principal Chief Wilson Mpapayo of Ntashat Location, who has been promoted to Senior Principal Chief.

The CS who was accompanied by his Environment colleague Keriako Tobiko and Governor Joseph ole Lenku described Mpapayo as a role model in public service and community leadership.

The leaders said the chief has been instrumental in fostering peace between communities living along the borders of Kiambu and Kajiado counties and especially in the eradication of cattle theft between the members of Kikuyu and Maasai communities.