CS Mucheru Answers Ruto After Protest Letter

File image of ICT CS Joe Mucheru
File image of ICT CS Joe Mucheru
File

ICT Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru, has dismissed claims by Deputy President William Ruto's team that he is planning to use his docket to influence the outcome of the August 9 polls.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, May 18, CS Mucheru stated that his ministry would not interfere with the mandate of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Mucheru noted that the government's role is to facilitate and ensure the Wafula Chebukati-led commission delivers a credible election. 

Information and Communication Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru during a past event
Information and Communication Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru during a past event
Daily Nation

"I'm not running for any office and I have no political ambitions so I don't know why they keep on focusing on me."

He stated that the United Democratic Alliance is using diversionary tactics to downplay the mileage that the Azimio la Umoja coalition is gaining after the announcement of Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua as Raila Odinga's deputy. 

"IEBC is independent and the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) is independent and when someone is licensed, they choose how they are going to operate."

UDA, through its Secretary-General Veronica Maina, had sent another letter to IEBC, demanding the resignation of CS Mucheru. 

Ruto's team faulted the CS for constantly being involved in political campaigns with fears that he might use his powers to hand the Azimio la Umoja coalition an unfair advantage. 

UDA reiterated that Mucheru's continued stay in office may compromise the independence of the ministry that he holds.

"Of concern to us is the critical role the Ministry of ICT plays in supervising and overseeing the Communication Authority of Kenya."

"Certainly, nothing stops the Cabinet Secretary for ICT from resigning in furtherance of his political rights to support a candidate of his choice and allow other able Kenyans to perform his responsibilities as Cabinet Secretary in accordance with the requirements of the law,"

This is the second time in two months that the UDA team is accusing CS Mucheru of harbouring a plan to manipulate the outcome of the August poll. 

DP William Ruto at the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya National Convention, at Nairobi Baptist Church, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
DP William Ruto at the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya National Convention, at Nairobi Baptist Church, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
DPPS