Fred Matiang’i faults William Ruto over verbal attacks
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i (right) with Nyanza Regional Commissioner Magu Mutindika in Borabu, Nyamira County, on January 14, 2021 during a meeting.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has told leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto to sell their manifesto and stop making him (Matiang’i) the subject of their meetings.
Dr Matiang’i said DP Ruto’s allies had made it a habit of attacking him and his principal secretary Karanja Kibicho, something he termed as unacceptable.
The CS told the politicians to concentrate on their manifesto and make it the subject of their political meetings and discussions instead of attacking civil servants who are only doing their work.
“You have made it your duty to attack Matiang’i and Kibicho every time you get hold of the microphone. Is Matiang’i and Kibicho your manifesto? Can’t you talk of what you want to do for Kenyans? Can’t you talk of your manifesto? When did Matiang’i and Kibicho become your manifesto?” posed Dr Matiang’i.
He called on leaders to stop profiling public servants and attacking them.
“Where there are challenges, we will put focus and bring solutions. But we cannot continue attacking public servants and profiling them in terms of their communities. We have no tribe, our work is to serve all Kenyans equally,” said the Interior CS who was speaking at the burial of Mzee Wesley Atuya Ogari in Borabu constituency.
He was accompanied by Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo, Woman rep Jerusha Momanyi, Borabu MP Ben Momanyi and several MCAs.
Nyanza regional commissioner Magu Mutindika and Nyamira county commissioner Michael Lesmam were also present.
"Let us respect public servants. Stop attacking and dragging them into your political platforms. What I saw last weekend about our Uasin Gishu county commissioner is disheartening," said Dr Matiang’i.
He explained that during a political rally held in Uasin Gishu last weekend, which was attended by the deputy president and his allies, they claimed that the county commissioner was holding political meetings.
"Our county commissioner there, Mr Kihara, is one of our experienced public servants and has risen to the ranks from District Officer to District Commissioner to county commissioner," said the CS.
He noted that Uasin Gishu is not the first station for Mr Stephen Kihara, adding that he had worked elsewhere before being posted to the North Rift county more than a year ago.
"The Ministry of Interior has no single report about any misbehaviour or misconduct on the part of the Uasin Gishu commissioner," said Dr Matiang’i.
“You saw him being abused and attacked by political leaders. Kenya is better than this! Some of these things we are seeing are lowering the standard of leadership. We have not seen such proud and abusive leaders like them,” said the CS. The CS had earlier said the government had deployed more officers to insecurity hotspots.
Speaking at Borabu Technical Training Institute after meeting National Government Administrators from Nyamira County, Dr Matiang’i said North Rift, North Eastern and the Coast had become notorious for insecurity.
"We have reactivated peace committees in these regions, which are under the Interior ministry to help bring us peace and unity," said the Interior CS.
