Five Members of Parliament allied to Deputy President William Ruto have raised concern over the intensified engagement of Cabinet Secretaries in politics.
They were referring to Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, ICT CS Joe Mucheru and interior CS Fred Matiang'i who have drummed up support for ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
The MPs are; Alice Wahome (Kandara), Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Benjamin Tayari (Kinango) and Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu).
"They are supposed to be apolitical yet, they have become ODM agents,” Nyoro said.
They said the CSs must decide whether they will be neutral in working with Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission or resign and become official ODM agents.
The Kiharu MP was speaking at the Deputy President’s Karen Residence Wednesday in Nairobi County.
Kang'ata said the three had declared who they will support and who they won't in the 2022 elections.
"They are not qualified to be part of the institutions working with the IEBC on the preparation for next year’s elections," he said.
Gachagua said the IEBC is independent, and should, therefore, have no businesses with the CSs.
“Matiang'i is partisan and any election management he is part of cannot be free and fair,” said the Mathira MP.
He asked IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati not to entertain those who had taken sides to be part of the management of elections.
His sentiments were supported by Wahome who noted that President Uhuru Kenyatta's legacy will be assured only if there is a peaceful transition.
“He must ensure that there is a free, fair and democratic election. The international community has a role to play and ensure that we do not go the 2007 way or witness another fake swearing-in,” she said.
Tayari argued that government functionaries should have a minimal role in the management of elections.
He urged the CSs to concentrate on their roles and not poke their noses in the management of elections.
Edited by D Tarus