Ruto hits out at Matiang’i over Raila campaigns

A section of MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto has hit out at Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, accusing him of using police and chiefs to campaign for ODM leader Raila Odinga.

They urged Matiang’i to focus on his security docket or resign to join politics.

The MPs spoke in Nakuru county, in the company of Ruto.

They were Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Liza Chelule (Nakuru), Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Daniel Tuitoek (Mogotio), Aden Duale (Garissa Township), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and Gachobe Kinuthia (Subukia).

Ichung’wa asked Matiang’i to stop politicising the country’s security docket and serve all Kenyans equally.

“Matiang’i should keep his petty politics out of the administration and security apparatus of the country,” said Ichung’wa.

Duale asked Matiang’i not to deny civil servants their constitutional rights of association and allow them to support a candidate of their choice.

“All citizens including those working in government have a right to choose who they want devoid of threats and intimidations,” said Mr Duale.

Gachagua asked Matiang’i to stop intimidating police officers and chiefs to support and campaign for Raila.

“Matiang’i, you are out of order. You have no authority to order chiefs and police officers to support Odinga,” said Gachagua.

Tuitoek and Ngunjiri said Kenyans will not allow Matiang’i to impose his preferred candidate on them, saying they will make their independent choices.

At the same time, the MPs who are also members of UDA said they were committed to amending the Constitution to increase revenue to counties through a parliamentary process.

Duale said UDA MPs were ready to help President Uhuru Kenyatta to realise his dream of increasing county revenue to 35 percent.