Tag Archives: UDA Rally

Deputy President William Ruto’s allies have come out to fault a decision by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to deploy more security officers in his perceived strongholds.

This is after the CS announced that security would be beefed up in Nakuru, Eldoret, Kuresoi and Molo areas ahead of August 9 polls.

UDA Nakuru county gubernatorial candidate Susan Kihika lashed out at the Interior boss, claiming that his directive would only cause panic in the region.

*Deputy President William Ruto and Senator Susan Kihika in Nakuru County on February 11, 2022. COURTESY SUSAN KIHIKA*

“Ridiculous! Matiangi’s goal is to create tension in Nakuru, which is peaceful. There is no justification for deploying General Service Unit (GSU) officers to Molo & Kuresoi,”
Kihika claimed.

The outspoken senator further accused Matiang’i of being used by the government to intimidate the residents in areas where UDA enjoys a massive following in a bid to stop them from exercising their civil right to vote on August 9.

She opined that deploying officers just because of the inflammatory leaflets circulating in the region-which the Kenya Kwanza brigade has sensationally linked to Matiang’i and PS Karanja Kibicho -was unnecessary.

“His intention is to suppress the vote in our strongholds. The same individuals behind the inciting leaflets are using them as an excuse to deploy GSU! Shameless!”
Kihika ranted.

In an earlier statement, Matiang’i explained that the decision which had been approved by the National Security Council was made based on an assessment that revealed the regions were vulnerable to violence.

“Police have got eight suspects in custody in connection with the circulation of those leaflets,
and investigations continue. We have teams on the ground that have been working here for a
long time, and we are collecting more intelligence in real-time,”
Fred Matiangi said.

“The GSU officers are not here for any particular aggression but to demonstrate that we are ready to rise up to any challenge that may come up. We are also going to increase surveillance and patrol in the areas,”
the CS reiterated.

In addition, a multi-agency command centre has been established in Nakuru to provide 24/7 surveillance and prompt response should the need arise.

He added that eight suspects had been arrested in connection with the circulating leaflets. Notably, the security boss dismissed claims that the leaflets were a project by employees in the office of the president.

Speaking in Nyeri, UDA running mate Rigathi Gachagua insisted that the Interior CS and PS were using chiefs to campaign for Azimio candidate Raila Odinga.

He called on the administrators to stick to their job descriptions, adding that they should use the financial incentives allegedly offered to them to improve the welfare of their wives.

Politics & Governance

DP Ruto confronts Matiang’i, NIS over leaflets circulating in his backyard

August 2, 2022 Ian Amulega

Deputy President William Ruto has accused senior government officials of being behind leaflets being circulated in Uasin Gishu and other parts of the North Rift region.

Speaking during a rally in Eldoret on Monday, August 1, Ruto alleged that the plot was being orchestrated by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and his Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho.

Further, he called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to take action against the two adding that they were constantly meeting with chiefs to manipulate the vote.

“Mr President, just as you reprimanded DCI boss George Kinoti, you should do the same to Matiangi and Kibicho. They should go home.

“We cannot go from where we came from. The tactic of spreading leaflets so that people can differ is something that will not happen. You will not succeed because we have decided that we cannot go back and fight over politics,” he stated.

Further, he urged his supporters to be wary of the government’s tactics calling on his supporters to remain calm during the electioneering period.

“Do not accept to be provoked in any manner. Violence cannot be part of the equation in this election or in any election for that matter. All candidates should carry their campaigns peacefully.”

On his part, Ruto’s running mate and Mathira lawmaker, Rigathi Gachagua, lamented over the complexity of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to take action over the leaflets. He called on the NIS boss, Major General Philip Wachira Kameru to take action against his officer involved in the scheme.

*Interior CS Fred Matiangi during the launch of the first-ever National Risk Assessment Report on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. PHOTO: COURTESY*

“It is too late to create a problem between communities. They have hit a snug and that is the strategy they are using. All this is planned by Kibicho, chiefs and the NIS,” Ruto’s running mate argued.

“There is also a scheme to introduce shortages of fuel from this week because they want to systematically undermine the electoral process,” Kenya Kwanza principal Musalia Mudavadi claimed.

Matiang’i and Kibicho have previously defended their meetings with the chiefs stating that the meetings were aimed at enhancing securing during the electioneering period.

The two have occasionally accused the DP and his allies of attacking them because of their popularity over former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“I am telling you now that we must stand firm against incitement. Don’t be intimidated by these politicians. They cannot take up your jobs,” Matiang’i stated at a meeting with chiefs.

“The government will give electorates free space to express their views during the election day to exercise their constitutional mandate,” Kibocho echoed.

Politics & Governance

DP Ruto blames Raila for blocking his campaigns in Nyanza Region

August 2, 2022 Ian Amulega

Deputy President and UDA Presidential candidate William Ruto has accused Azimio La Umoja’s Raila Odinga of blocking his campaigns in the Nyanza region.

Ruto says Raila blocked his tour of the region because he fears the people might buy into Kenya Kwanza’s agenda.

He has however assured Nyanza region residents that they will not be sidelined in his government as he will work with every community if elected president.

“We will work with the people of every part of Kenya. It is unfortunate that we cannot go to Nyanza because our friend who pretends to be a democrat cannot allow anyone to go there,” Ruto said.

He was speaking while campaigning in Eldoret town in the last minute rash to woo voters.

Yesterday, the Raila-led team toured Eldoret ton and its environment where he received a warm reception.

The icing on the cake was when 3,000 meters steeplechase record holder Ezekiel Kemboi endorsed Raila pledging his support while asking his people to vote for him in the scheduled August 9 elections.