I am free to support Raila Odinga, says Fred Matiang'i

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Thursday said he does not need anyone’s permission to show his support for ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Dr Matiang’i said some people are livid whenever he speaks out his mind, adding that their job is going round the country talking ill of others and sponsoring bloggers to propagate lies.

“As a civil servant, I will not be ashamed of speaking the truth. The country has witnessed peace from the time President Uhuru Kenyatta shook hands with the former prime minister,” Dr Matiang’i said in Kisumu where he announced the creation of Central Nyakach division.

“We have witnessed peace and development, then some people expect us not to talk about the handshake.”

Dr Matiang’i told political leaders to be honest.

“Let us stop the hypocrisy. Nyanza has agreed to stand together under the leadership of Mr Odinga,” he said. 

Deputy President William Ruto and his allies have been attacking Dr Matiang’i and other Cabinet Secretaries, accusing them of playing partisan politics by openly supporting Mr Odinga’s 2022 presidential bid.

The minister yesterday said he would not be dragged into petty matters, insisting that he is doing what the President assigned him to do. 

Loyalty

He said he is loyal to President Kenyatta, adding that the country does not have two centres of power.

“Those with the crown down here, such as the chiefs and their assistants, are our eyes on the ground. They represent the President and we depend on them. They tell us the issues affecting citizens,” Dr Matiang’i said.

He added that security forces operate on the principles of loyalty, patriotism and focus on the citizens’ welfare.

Present were Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili, Woman Representative Rozah Buyu, Senator Fred Outa, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor and National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority former chairman Erick Okeyo.

Improve services

Dr Matiang’i said the government would create 50 administrative units in Nyanza.

“You can see the developments around following our relationship. This is why we will be adding 50 more administrative units in Nyanza to improve services,” he said.

Dr Matiang’i asked chiefs, their assistants and other administrators to trace the more than 52,000 owners of uncollected national identification cards in Nyanza ahead of the mass voter registration in January.

“We must ensure these people are found. Those who have attained the age of 18 must get IDs in order to register as voters too,” he said.

Dr Owili said the handshake would not make sense if it lacks lieutenants like the Interior Cabinet Secretary “who believes in the unity of the country’.

“As our brother, you have walked with us and we will remember you when the right time comes,” the deputy governor said.

Mr Aduma, Mr Outa, Mrs Buyu and Mr Okeyo praised the minister’s leadership style, terming it firm and meant for the good of the country.

Later, the CS went to Sironga Girls High and Riooga Secondary schools in Nyamira County to commission projects.

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