Matiang'i Raises Alarm over High Number of 'Wash Wash' Suspects Seeking Elective Seats

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has warned that money launderers, alias ‘wash wash’, drug dealers and other criminals could flood the next parliament if a lax in financial regulations continues.

Matiang’i indicated that there is a long list of suspected criminals eyeing elective seats in the August 9th elections, warning that they could manipulate the electoral process and bribe their way into parliament.

“We could end up laundering criminals of unprecedented standards into our elective offices. We might have over 40 percent of elected office holders becoming our leaders if we allow all the ‘wash wash’ gangs and other criminals to bribe their way in the coming elections," said Matiang'i.

Speaking during the National Conference on Criminal Justice Reforms in Naivasha on Tuesday, the cabinet secretary cited weak regulations on the source of campaign funds as a major threat to the credibility of the upcoming elections.

Matiang'i pointed out that the Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was not to blame for the weak regulatory framework on campaign financing.

The abuse of social media, Matiang’i said, is the other major concern for election security and credibility, and expressed frustrations with the process of prosecuting those involved in the crime.

“We have the challenge of multiple bonds issued by our courts. Some of the people who have been arrested are enjoying their eighth, ninth or tenth bond. This of course does little to deter others from engaging an army of bloggers to character-assassinate others,” he said.

Matiang’i called for the amendment of relevant laws regarding intelligence gathering and the prosecution of digitally driven crimes.