Interior Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho, opines that the country will not have to strain its budget in a runoff, insisting that Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja will win the August presidential vote in round one.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV with Waihiga Mwaura on Tuesday, May 31, Kibicho argued that he based his sentiments on data he was privy to.
Kibicho supported ICT CS, Joe Mucheru, who had earlier stated that Raila would overwhelmingly defeat his closest rival, Deputy President, William Ruto, in the first round.
“We don’t speak from emotions. We speak from facts. If you asked me, for example, what the data is saying today, and because I am entitled to my answer as a public servant, I will give it to you as it is.
“You were told here by CS Mucheru. That’s what the intelligence data says. A 60 per cent win in the first round. There is a difference between rumours and facts. Noisemakers use even photoshop. For us, we don’t deal with those perceptions,” Kibicho stated while defending Mucheru who has been under fire for supporting Raila.
He further added that the burden of proof then shifts to the rivals who have to counter the information provided if they doubt its legality and factuality.
“If the data you have given me is misleading then come up with another and indicate where you have received it. You cannot criminalize someone for giving you the information you asked for,” Kibicho added.
While speaking to Inooro TV on Sunday, May 29, ICT CS Joe Mucheru, said that Raila will win the presidency without a run-off based on polls and public opinions.
"I don't think we will go for round two, I think it will be decided in round one based on what numbers show and what people are saying.
"Baba (Raila) will emerge top. That's what I see, as Mucheru and not as the government. This is based on personal experience and what I can see. Polls already show Azimio is in the lead, that is where I'm getting my data, it is not like we are depending on any other data,” he underlined.
Mucheru also insisted that he had a right to support his own candidate of choice, an ideology he similarly shared with Kibicho.
PS Kibicho told Citizen TV: “It’s upon me to choose what I keep secret and what I keep open in my life. I have chosen not to keep my preference a secret. Every civil servant, including CSs, has a voters card. They will go to the ballot to vote.”
He further refuted reports claiming that there was a plan to rig the votes as alleged by the Kenya Kwanza alliance under DP Ruto.
“None whatsoever and there cannot be. The will of the people shall prevail. President Uhuru Kenyatta respects the law and democracy and everyone knows that he cannot sit in a certain corner to manipulate the will of the people.
“(On the transition of power) There is a secretary to the Cabinet, only that he is doubling as Head of Public Service, he will actually be the one who will convene the assumption of office committee,” Kibicho stated.
DP Ruto's allies had claimed that Uhuru was delaying appointing the secretary to the cabinet to frustrate efforts in the handover of power.
