Gachagua Accuses CS Matiang’i and PS Kibicho of Coercing Chiefs to Campaign for Raila

UDA presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua has hit out at Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho for allegedly coercing chiefs to engage in politics.

Gachagua claims that the two have been luring the administrators to campaign for the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga ahead of the August 9th general elections.

“I want to tell Matiang’i and Kibicho, if the president has tried to coerce us to join Azimio we have refused, they are now planning that chiefs and their assistants force you to elect Raila, will it be possible?” Gachagua posed during a campaign rally in Kajiado.

While downplaying their influence in convincing voters to elect Odinga in the forthcoming elections, Gachagua urged chiefs to stick to their constitutional mandate and refrain from politicking.

“Hakuna mtu anabebewa akili na chief, can a chief tell you where to vote? We have refused to be advised by the president. Wewe chief kama unataka kuambia mtu mahali ya kupiga kura, enda uambia bibi yako,” Gachagua remarked.

“Kazi ya chief ni kutengeneza mambo ya mipaka, atuandikie barua ya kitambulisho…kama bibi ya mtu ametoroka tafuta bibi urudishie mwenyewe; si hio ndio kazi ya chief?” 

He further promised to look out for interests and welfare of chiefs if the Kenya Kwanza Alliance under the leadership of Deputy President William Ruto clinches the presidency.

“Our chiefs do not have any problem, they are being forced. We want to assure you that we will protect you, increase your salaries and you will never be used by the State again in the history of our country,” he assured.