Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, has alleged that tender wars are the cause of Deputy President William Ruto's scathing attacks on President Uhuru Kenyatta and Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai.
Speaking in Nyamira county on Friday, June 1, the CS claimed that the DP was pushing the government to source some police equipment from his associates a move that was rejected by the duo.
He stated that the Mutyambai opted to go for local manufacturers as they were offering the National Police Service (NPS) equipment at a cheaper price.
Matiang'i made the statements in reference to Ruto's outburst when meeting international election observers where he stated that the Inspector General of Police was the most incompetent person in the world.
"Let me tell you something, all these insults being directed to the Inspector General by being told that he is the most incompetent Inspector General in the whole world is because he rejected buying police boots for Ksh13,000 being sold by his friends.
"Mutyambai went to local manufacturers and got the boots for Ksh2,900. The problem they also have with the Inspector General is because he refused to buy bulletproof vests at Ksh106,083 (USD900) and went to manufacturers and got it at Ksh10,608 (USD90)," he stated.
Further, he criticised the Kenya Kwanza leader for airing the country's dirty linen to international observers with the aim of tainting the government's image.
"If you want to become a leader in this country, how can you attack public servants before foreigners? International observers come to our offices then you decide to abuse government officials."
On his part, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga stated that Ruto was unfairly targeting government officials hinting that the DP was planning to arrest Matiang'i if he takes over the government.
Raila added that if elected, he will give the Interior CS a government job to ensure that he is protected by the Azimio government.
While meeting with international observers, Ruto claimed that Uhuru had taken over the control of the police service because of Mutyambai's alleged incompetence, adding that the police would be used unlawfully during the August 9 polls.
"To be honest the current Inspector General of Police is the President of Kenya, who is the leader of Azimio. If you put yourself in our shoes and the IG is also a competitor, you wonder. Where do you start?" Ruto posed.
