Interior Permanent Secretary, Karanja Kibicho, wants his boss, Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, to discipline politicians and Kenyans he accused of vehemently opposing President Uhuru Kenyatta and causing trouble.
Speaking at a security conference held on Monday, November 1, the PS argued that they were tasked to protect Kenyans and defend their oath at the same time.
His response was a thinly veiled response to Deputy President William Ruto’s allies who called on CS Matiang’i and his ICT counterpart, Joe Mucheru, to resign. The two were accused of engaging in political activities contrary to the Constitution.
“Kama ni kuwanyorosha watu tuwanyoroshe. Walie walie. Juu hio ndio kaze tumepewa na Rais na tutakua accountable kwa Mungu na Rais kama tutawalet down (Let us discipline them if we have to. Let them cry if they want to. For us, we shall be doing that work given unto us by the President. We shall be accountable to God and the Head of State if we let the people down,” Kibicho urged.
He also encouraged the Interior CS to remain steadfast and not to waver. “We shall stand with you and fully support you,” he added.
In a past interview on Wednesday, August 4, Kibicho accused Ruto’s allies of intentionally peddling lies on national television and tarnishing the reputation of the CS and his juniors. He further alleged that the DP’s confidants created tension and spread rumours to appease Ruto - their master.
“At times, they rush to the DP with fake news and lies on how the police are planning to threaten or eliminate them,” Kibicho lamented.
Ruto’s allies recently accused the CSs Mucheru and Matiang’i of interfering with the mandate of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). This was after the two public servants met IEBC Chairman, Wafula Chebukati, to analyse how the commission was prepared to conduct the 2022 General Election.
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) - a party linked to Ruto - wrote a letter to the (IEBC) protesting the inclusion of the duo into a multi-agency team planning a fair and transparent election. UDA alleged that the CSs were openly campaigning for former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.
“We, in the security sector, do not conduct elections – that is the mandate of the IEBC, and our work is to support the Commission by providing security,” the CS explained.
He added that he would not be distracted by cheap talk and rumour mongers.
