Ruto’s UDA Demands Removal of CS Matiang'i and Mucheru from Elections Preparation Team

Deputy President William Ruto-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has protested the inclusion of Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and his ICT counterpart Joe Mucheru in the multi-agency team on the preparation for the 2022 general election.

In a letter to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the party demanded the withdrawal of the two from the team, saying they were partisan and partial.

UDA Secretary-General Veronica Maina in the protest letter claimed Matiang’i and Mucheru had their support for ODM leader Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidential bid, a move she termed as a clear violation of the constitution.

She averred that Cabinet Secretaries are prohibited from making public their political preferences to protect the integrity of public offices they hold. 

UDA questioned why IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati was holding meetings on election preparedness with a multi-agency team that includes members who have declared support for certain presidential aspirants.

The party stated that Kenyan voters must be guaranteed their right to make choices at the ballot, without being influenced or their right stifled.

It also wants the electoral commission to remain independent and not bend to political pressure. UDA further demanded that the judiciary and executive observe the institutional and functional demarcations set by the constitution, to guarantee a free and fair general election.

Matiang’i and Mucheru's membership to the multi-agency team is by virtue of the offices they hold.