Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and his ICT Counterpart Joe Mucheru have answered back the Deputy President William Ruto over his party's letter to the US Embassy in Kenya and British High Commission.
This was after Ruto's UDA party, through its Secretary-General Veronica Maina wrote to the US Embassy, British High Commission, DPP Noordin Haji, IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati, NCIC, European Union, and African Diplomatic Group seeking action to be taken against state officers involved in partisan politics.
According to UDA's letter, legal action should be taken against five cabinet secretaries and one principal secretary for alleged political partisanship and violating the elections offenses act.
UDA urged Noordin Haji to charge Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, his ICT counterpart Joe Mucheru, Keriako Tobiko (Environment), Eugine Wamalwa (Defence), James Macharia (Transport) and Karanja Kibicho (Interior PS) for openly backing up Azimio la Umoja Raila Odinga's presidential bid against the laws.
"In the recent past, we have witnessed state officers including CSs and PSs engaging, participating in political activities, declaring and pledging support for Azimio Coalition Presidential candidate Raila Odinga. The involvement of CSs and PSs also raises doubt about their neutrality and objectivity and it is a barefaced, unconcealed, and blatant conflict of interest. This is a clear violation of section 16 of the elections offenses act of 2016," read part of UDA'a letter.
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However, CS Mucheru and Fred Matiang'i have come out to defend their involvement in the State House succession race citing their political rights.
The two accused Ruto of double speak, saying he never bothered when they were campaigning together for Jubilee in 2017 only to emerge with accusations in 2022.
"In 2017, we were campaigning with the same person, why is it now that I am campaigning for somebody different, it seems that I am against the law? I just find this dubious. If they are going to investigate, they should start with Ruto's office which has more reasons than Mucheru here for them to say I can influence the elections. If that is the case, then Ruto's office can influence more than me," stated Joe Mucheru
"It is this usual hypocrisy and pretense in our political environment. In 2017 I was with them campaigning in Kisii, so did I become a CS now in 2017 and not one in 2017? The internet does not forget, go and look for videos you will get. Now because we are not with them is when we are breaking the law?" posed CS Matiang'i in his defense
While meeting European Union Ambassadors on Thursday, Ruto accused top government officials of an alleged plan to influence the August 9 presidential polls.
"When public officials take positions that are contrary to their oath of office, they are active agents of un determining a credible and transparent election," said Ruto
