Drama as CS Matiang'i storms births office, threatens to sack employees

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet (left) looks on as Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi (right) addresses journalists at the Coast Regional Coordinator's offices on January 08, 2019. [File, Standard]

Drama ensued at Narok North births and deaths registration office as Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i stormed the offices threatening to sack the employees after he found long queues of locals waiting for birth certificates.

The CS who was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, his Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Patrick ole Ntutu and area County Commissioner George Natembeya confronted the deputy registrar Mr. Joel Kortom at the office.

“How can you tell me that you are giving out 200 birth certificate per day? Yaani unafikiria sisi ni wapumbavu (you think we are foolish)?” Matiang’i asked.

The Interior CS vowed to ‘clean’ the office, saying that Kenyans deserve better service from civil servants and should not be treated as slaves.

He said: “Some officers are reducing Kenyans to slaves. Somebody keep referring those seeking birth certificates to come the following day only to demand bribes to speed up issuance of the public document. This madness should stop.”

The CS directed County Commissioner Mr. Natembeya to do a follow up on the progress at the office, saying there were 20,000 birth certificates that are yet to be collected at the office.

“As civil servants, let’s dedicate our time to serving the people. How can we enslave our people because of your incompetence? This will not be entertained. Even if it will be sacking I will sack you and I will not care,” said Dr. Matiang’i.