By TCD REPORTER.
On MONDAY, 14TH JUNE, 2021 – Kitui Deputy Governor Dr wathe Nzau graced THE 2021 IEBC ANNUAL VOTER EDUCATION WEEK which was held at kitui stadium.
He was Reprenting kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, the COUNTY DIARY reports.
“Ngilu has decried the rampant use of social media to misinform the public, spread political propaganda and undermine leaders”
She challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to clamp down on the practice in the run up to the next General Elections.
The Governor’s concerns were shared in a speech presented on her behalf by Deputy Governor Dr Wathe Nzau during the launch of the Annual Voter Education Week by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), at Kitui Municipal Stadium
The Governor said that, whereas the social media was an important tool for social and political mobilization, lack of a regulatory policy had allowed bloggers to create and spread fake news, false opinion polls, smear the reputation of leaders and sometimes facilitate extortion and blackmail. She said that in a heated election period such as the one, the country is heading into, such practices could lead to political violence.
Governor Ngilu also challenged the Electoral Body to take their responsibility for voter education more seriously, noting that the majority of people who turn up to vote need to be assisted by agents. She said that, this will expose voters to intimidation and manipulation, then end up getting citizens leaders who doesn’t deserve.
Addressing the same event, the Kitui County Elections Manager Mr Albert Gogo said that, the IEBC will use the voter education week to intensify their engagement with voters as well as increase the public awareness on the mandate and plans of the Commission around the electoral cycles.
The event was also addressed by Kitui Township Ward MCA Hon Anthony Ndoo, among other leaders and Government officials.
Photo By Charles Muthoka, Kitui Governor’s Press Service
By Charles Muthoka.
Kitui Governor’s Press Service.