Two former Kenya Kwanza Cabinet Secretaries have called out Taifa Leo Newspaper for reporting that they were left languishing in the cold after being let go from their powerful positions despite backing President William Ruto heavily before and after the 2022 polls.
Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba called out the local daily and denied claims that he had been left in the cold, writing, “Taifa Leo, stop your lies! How can I, Ababu Terrah the Rock languish in the cold? Maybe cold from the Air Conditioner!! You have turned from “Taifa Leo” to “Taifa Lies”. Disgrace! If you weren't broke I would have sued you.”
In a more defiant tone and with more conviction that she would never regret her decision to support the President, former Cabinet Secretary for Public Service CS Aisha Jumwa called out the publication for not doing what she described as its due diligence and giving her the right to reply.
“Who sought for my opinion? You Taifa Leo, what happened to the right of reply? You should know this, There is not a day that I will ever regret supporting President William Ruto. He is a leader I believe in. Stop cheap politics. William Ruto and I till the end. We are in the cold? What cold?” She quipped.
The Thursday edition of Taifa Leo, a Swahili publication led with the headline ‘Wajuta Kuunga Ruto’ (They regret supporting Ruto) and plastered faces of 10 Kenya Kwanza leaders who once headed major dockets in the government including the two, former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and former Lands CS Zachary Njeru on their cover.
However, some of the politicians included in the spread like Linturi, former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala, and former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri are quoted in the publication confirming the claims that they have long been forgotten, and some even left jobless.
"Going into the 2022 elections, we committed ourselves and ensured President Ruto won. However, I regret failing to sign a contract to secure my interests. When others were using their parties to sign contracts, Gachagua and I trusted him. Now we are both jobless,” Linturi stated.
“Our president was a very good person but when Raila and his allies came into the government, it has caused a lot of division in Kenya Kwanza. I pray to God that President Ruto sees the light again,” Ngunjiri said.
As for ousted UDA Secretary General Malala, he claims that he never believed that the president would have such a bitter heart as to go ahead with an impeachment motion when his deputy was sick in hospital.
“How could you President William Ruto be so bitter? Your deputy is sick in the hospital and you are still fighting him. President, we helped you and stood by you but we did not know you would become a person who does not care about his friends. We leave everything to God,” Malala is quoted as saying.
Others featured in the story were; Former Lands CS Zachary Njeru, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, Kirinyaga Senator James Murango, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa, and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga.
The local daily is yet to respond to being called out by the two former CSs.
