Defense Cabinet Secretary Eugine Wamalwa and his Agriculture counterpart Peter Munya have dismissed calls by Deputy President William Ruto to stop campaigning for Raila Odinga.
This was after UDA, a party heavily linked to William Ruto wrote to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati, demanding that he warns CSs from campaigning for presidential aspirants.
“The stand of the two Cabinet Secretaries has compromised the offices they hold and they should resign and engage in a full-time election campaign,” the letter read in part.
But speaking in Nzoia Sugar Factory in Bungoma County on Monday, November 8, the duo defied the calls saying they will not bow to the pressure.
“Those who have been attacking us so much be told that the Kenya Constitution 2010 guarantees political freedom to every Kenyan including Cabinet Secretaries,” CS Wamalwa said.
On his part, Agriculture CS Peter Munya urged all other CSs including ICT CS Joe Mucheru and his Interior counterpart Fred Matiang’i not to be intimidated by anyone for his support towards President Uhuru Kenyatta’s handshake partner Raila Odinga.
“We know the law and we will not allow to be denied any Kenyan right enshrined in the constitution. We have the right to be politically active and to give political direction like the others. So Mucheru and Matiang’i should not be distracted by anyone,” Munya said.
In the letter that was authored by UDA secretary General, Veronica Maina stated that the move by the CSs to openly declare their support for the ODM leader Raila Odinga will interfere with the electoral process.
UDA also questioned if the IEBC will hold credible elections after the two Cabinet Secretaries publicly declared support for Raila Odinga.
“To what extent are Kenyans guaranteed that elections next August shall be free and fair?” the party asked.
