Matiang'i Takes Action After Leaked Ruto Resignation Reports

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has spoken out on media reports alleging that he dared Deputy President William Ruto to resign while facing the Senate Security Committee on Wednesday, August 19.

The Interior Ministry through a press release on Thursday, August 20, detailed that Matiang'i had approached his lawyers to discuss the issue after the report was aired on a local TV station.

The Ministry argued that the report was false and malicious. 

"We are aware that the Cabinet Secretary has referred the matter to his lawyers for further action," the statement reads in part.

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala (in blue) resists arrest at his home in Kitengela, Nairobi, on August 17, 2020.

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It went on to add that the unverified report was a misrepresentation of the true record of the proceedings readily and publicly available, in Parliament's Hansard records. 

Matiang'i warned that the publication of the report could cause disharmony in the Executive arm of government. 

Journalists were barred from covering the event where Matiang'i was grilled by the Senate over the arrest of three Senators ahead of revenue allocation formula debate.

Information said to have been leaked to the media alleged that Matiang'i responded to criticism from DP Ruto, who claimed that police officers were used to threatening, intimidating, and blackmailing senators, by daring him to resign. 

Senators Cleophas Malala (Kakamega), Christopher Langat (Bomet), and Steve Lelegwe (Samburu) were arrested and later released without charges being pressed.

"Rather than subvert government systems and efforts from within, the honourable thing would be for him is to resign and openly join the opposition," the CS allegedly dared.

Deputy President William Ruto addresses congregants at the Friends Church (Quakers) in Lang'ata, Nairobi on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

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