Matiang'i Denies Calling for DP Ruto's Resignation

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has brushed off reports that he called for the resignation of Deputy President William Ruto.

Matiang’i, who termed the reports as false and malicious, said he has since instructed his attorneys to file a legal suit against NTV for airing the report.

“The Ministry takes great exception to the false and malicious report carried by NTV in their 9 pm bulletin suggesting that the Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i called for the resignation of the Deputy President,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

NTV claimed that Matiang’i asked DP Ruto to step down when he appeared before Senate’s National Security Committee on Wednesday to explain the controversial arrest of three Senators—Cleopas Malala (Kakamega), Christopher Lang’at (Bomet) and Stephen Lelegwe (Samburu) on Monday. 

Journalists were barred from covering the grilling session that was also attended by Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and DCI head George Kinoti.

“The unverified report is a misrepresentation of the true record of the proceedings readily and publicly available, even to NTV, in Parliament's Hansard records. The net effect of such fabrications can cause disharmony in the executive arm of government,” the Matiang’i-led ministry added.

In the report, NTV said Matiang’i called for Ruto’s resignation over his tweet stating that the Jubilee administration was not elected to “bully citizens and intimidate leaders.”

“The bipartisan Senate Committee to build WIN-WIN consensus is great wisdom and leadership. The abuse of police & criminal justice to bully citizens, threaten & intimidate leaders and now blackmail senate is WRONG.VERY WRONG. It's NOT the reason millions woke up early to vote for us,” Ruto tweeted following the arrest of the three senators.

Matiang’i, according to the NTV report, said Ruto should resign so he “can be free to lead Opposition activities against the Government of the Day.”