Former Kikuyu Member of Parliament Paul Muite has censured the government over plan to imprison those who will miss out on the national housing and population census.
The national exercise commences on the night of August 24 and the State has warned that those who will boycott or obstruct census personnel from doing their duty risk one-year imprisonment, a fine of Sh500,000, or both penalties.
Muite, who is a Senior Counsel, accused the government of using intimidation as its preferred mode of operation and warned it was bound to backfire in due time.
"Coercion, bullying, intimidation and criminalization of nearly every citizen activity as the main governance modus operandi can only succeed for a time; ultimately people revolt and free themselves," tweeted the veteran lawyer on Friday.
The remarks come at a time a section of Kiambu leaders have been calling on residents to take the exercise seriously and urging those living beyond county boundaries to 'return home' and be counted from there.
“I urge the great people of Kiambu living outside the county to return home to be counted in the national census on the night of August 24, 2019," said Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.
Others who have been vocal on the issue include Senator Kimani Wamatangi, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and former Governor William Kabogo.
However, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has warned politicians against meddling with census saying tough action will be taken against them.