Gachagua Claims Kibicho and Matiang’i Used Chiefs to Campaign for Azimio

Rigathi Gachagua, the deputy presidential nominee for the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, has kept up his criticism on Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and his principal secretary Karanja Kibicho.

Speaking in Kajiado County on Saturday, Gachagua took aim at the two government employees, accusing them of trying to persuade the chiefs and their administrators to support Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya, in the August elections.

He came at Kibicho and Matiang’i with full force, telling them their efforts would be in vain because President Uhuru Kenyatta’s efforts had also met with failure.

“I want to tell Matiang’i and Kibicho, if the president has tried to coerce us to join Azimio we have refused, they are now planning that chiefs and their assistants force you to elect Raila, will it be possible?” Gachagua posed to the residents.

The Mathira MP claimed that administrators’ legal obligation was to serve the inhabitants in their localities, thereby downplaying their role in persuading voters to choose Odinga.

As he reprimanded the administrators, the lawmaker angrily emphasized the chiefs’ responsibilities and pleaded with them to uphold their constitutional responsibilities and refrain from engaging in politics.

“Hakuna mtu anabebewa akili na chief, can a chief tell you where to vote? We have refused to be advised by the president. Wewe chief kama unataka kuambia mtu mahali ya kupiga kura, enda uambia bibi yako,” Gachagua remarked.

“Kazi ya chief ni kutengeneza mambo ya mipaka, atuandikie barua ya kitambulisho…kama bibi ya mtu ametoroka tafuta bibi urudishie mwenyewe; si hio ndio kazi ya chief?” 

Gachagua assured voters that the incoming administration would look out for their interests and the welfare of the administrators as he persuaded them to support DP William Ruto in the August elections.

“Our chiefs do not have any problem, they are being forced. We want to assure you that we will protect you, increase your salaries and you will never be used by the state again in the history of our country,” he promised.

The comments were made shortly after Matiang’i and Kibicho stressed that they would not back down from meeting with the administrators and offering political counsel to their people.
Imagine the image we would make if the chiefs we deal with were not present while we are in Nyamira. When we meet with them, they immediately begin to complain. We are only talking about work-related matters and preparing how our people will maintain peace and unity, the CS said to the Nyamira locals.

“We are not disclosing the identities of the integral leaders if we want you to elect them. Simply put, we are advising you to vote for the candidate who has demonstrated their honesty, said Kibicho.