- Ruto said President has allowed security agencies and “people with sinister motives” to intimidate or blackmail IEBC
- The DP said Uhuru is obligated to serve all Kenyans equally
Image: WILLIAM RUTO/TWITTER
Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday launched a scathing attack on DCI boss George Kinoti whom he accused of interfering with the work of the IEBC.
Ruto said Kinoti should let the electoral commission handle matters regarding the forthcoming polls.
He further accused Kinoti of not delivering on his mandate saying the DCI boss prefers to prosecute his job in the media.
“Save your time, stop writing long letters to us. Leave matters of elections to IEBC because you have no business running an election,” he said.
“You have failed as DCI. We do not want you to fail us in this elections. Stop annoying us and let IEBC do their work. Yours is criminal investigations but you have never done anything. Wait for August when you will go home,” he added.
Addressing a rally in Kapkatet in Kericho, the Deputy President also censured President Uhuru Kenyatta whom he accused of attempting to interfere with the August 9 elections.
Ruto said the head of state has a constitutional mandate of making sure Kenyans go through an election that is free, fair and democratic.
“We know you are the chairman of Azimio. Do not confuse your duties as the chairman of Azimio and your duties as the President of Kenya. You must serve the 50 million people of Kenya equally,” he said.
“You can support your project as the chairman of Azimio but guarantee Kenyans the security they need so that they can make their choices freely.”
The Deputy President asked Uhuru not to allow security agencies and “people with sinister motives” to intimidate or blackmail IEBC.
“You have two weeks as President of Kenya. You have a constitutional duty as president to make sure Kenyans go through free fair and democratic elections,” he said.
His remarks come hours after Kinoti released a detailed investigation report about the three foreigners who were arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with electoral materials.
DCI questioned why no IEBC officials were present to receive the materials faulting the commission's chairperson Wafula Chebukati over his earlier claims that the Anti-terror Police Unit had arrested its staff.
On Sunday, Ruto said it was regrettable that government agencies were interfering with the independence of the IEBC.
“We are not asking for any favours from the President. We voted for you; we stood by you when you wanted men and women by your side. Do not allow security agencies to intimidate or blackmail IEBC,” the Deputy President added.
Ruto’s runningmate Rigathi Gachagua said Mt Kenya region is not backing the Deputy President because he supported Uhuru in past polls.
“We are behind Ruto because of his vision for the region and the country as a whole,” he said.
ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi also censured the DCI for allegedly interfering with the work of the IEBC.
“I want to tell the IG and DCI, when our victory is confirmed, we shall in the defence of democracy have an inquiry of public officers who have undermined democracy,” he said.
He told Uhuru not to forget the strategic importance of Kenya in region and the world.
“Do not allow any of your officers to compromise the democracy of the country. You can undermine democracy, but you cannot defeat democracy,” he added.
Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula also accused Uhuru of using state machinery to undermine IEBC.
“You have no authority to harass IEBC. We want to assure Chebukati that we have absolute trust confidence and faith in them,” he added.