Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen/ HANDOUTInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed claims that scrapping ID vetting could compromise the integrity of elections, terming such fears as unfounded.
Speaking during the Jukwaa la Usalama joint media interview in Kitui on Thursday evening, Murkomen argued that it would be virtually impossible for any manipulation to go unnoticed, stressing that even mobilising 1,000 fake IDs would require extraordinary effort.
He also downplayed concerns that presidential elections could be rigged through the use of 100,000 fraudulent votes, calling such assertions speculative.
“I want to tell Kenyans who are expressing fears that fake IDs could rig votes that by the time you are mobilising fake IDs to reach 1,000 — let alone 10,000 — it’s impossible,” he stated.
“There is no way someone can rig the presidential vote by registering 100,000 voters; that is guesswork if that is your politics.”
Murkomen maintained that the country’s security should take precedence over hypothetical electoral fears.
While acknowledging that cases of illegal possession of fake identification cards do occur, he said they were scattered across the country, making it difficult to centralise or coordinate such documents.
“I know there is this propaganda, especially from the North Eastern region, where some claim that Kenyans living in Mandera are content with people from neighbouring countries taking their spots because they speak the same language. That is a dream,” he said.
He emphasised that Kenyans have every intention to protect their interests, noting that if such infiltration were to happen, it would dilute the locals’ influence — something they would not allow.
Murkomen cited the boundary dispute between Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties as an example of how territorial sensitivities among Kenyans remain strong, adding that it is highly unlikely for citizens to permit foreigners to infiltrate their regions.
He urged critics to adopt a more informed approach and focus on facts to avoid creating unnecessary tension.
