ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru has defended his decision to back Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga in the August 9th elections.
While dismissing claims by Deputy President William Ruto’s camp that he plans to rig the upcoming presidential election in favor of Odinga, Mucheru exuded confidence that the ODM leader will emerge victorious in the first round.
“We will not require a round two vote…All indicators are that he will take it in round One. The data we have, the opinion polls available and many other factors point to that reality,” Mucheru told Inooro TV in an interview.
He insisted that Odinga, who is giving his fifth stab at the presidency, does not need to be helped to win through rigging, adding that it is technically impossible to manipulate the outcome of the election.
Mucheru claimed Odinga’s competitors have resorted to lie to Kenyans that some government officials are planning to rig them out after sensing defeat, adding that they are trying to prepare their supporters to reject the results by using State officers as a scapegoat.
“The electoral ICT systems are ready where by August 9 we will have 100 percent internet coverage in all the 53,000 polling stations that will facilitate a free, fair and credible election right from identifying all the 22.1 million voter to casting the vote all the way to tallying and transmitting the results,” he said.
Mucheru added that he is not ashamed of his political stand, saying that Odinga’s decision to pick Nark-Kenya leader Martha Karua as his running mate has boosted his State House bid.
“The other wing (Kenya Kwanza) messed by picking the one they did (Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua)…That person is doing them no good…But it is their problem and they know why they made their decision. But Karua has excited Kenyans and added value to Mr Odinga’s contest. Many people have confided to us that they will turn out and vote because Karua is credible and represents their aspirations,” Mucheru said.
He noted that being a Cabinet Secretary does not take away his democratic right of supporting his preferred presidential candidate, adding that a court ruled in 2017 that there is no law breached when government officers make a stand that helps their regime achieve its causes.
“…Personally I cannot say that I am campaigning, rather, I am helping Kenyans stop being lied to. I am helping Kenyans arrive at the most ideal decision about their future,” he said.
Ruto’s UDA party had earlier written to the electoral commission demanding Mucheru’s resignation, claiming that he plans to use his position as the ICT minister to influence the results of the forthcoming elections.
“Ruto himself is in government and is contesting the presidency. But when it comes to complaining, they only pick on me and Interior CS Fred Matiang’i. If we should be pressurized to quit government, the calls should be fair and addressed to all of us…”
“Ruto is my senior in government and even attends the National Security Committee where I do not sit, is my senior in the cabinet…and should he summon me to brief him about the preparedness of the August 9th general elections like Odinga did recently, I would go and give him a true account of my ministry’s input so far,” Mucheru added.
These are the CSs who have…
These are the CSs who have let down the 2010 constitution. I don’t think he understand why Kenyans gave up on the ministers and settled for CSs from outside the political system. The President has failed in enforcing discipline within his CSs. Kenyans want CSs to focus on serving its citizens. For now, the CSs are focused on getting political favors, they have failed their employer, the Kenyan citizen.
Mr. Mucheru,
Times have…
Mr. Mucheru,
Times have changed. We are slowly but surely moving towards a time of peace and tranquility. This is not because of a certain someone’s strength or might; it’s because it’s time.
Both candidates Raila and Ruto participated in the killing of Gikuyu’s in church in 2007.
As for Raila, violence is written all over him:
1982 Coup, how many died?( interrupted Moi’s leadership using violence.
Kibaki’s second term- Nusu Mkate
Uhuru’s second term- Nusu Mkate
(He swore himself as president defying the constitution)
” Asiekumbali kushindwa sio mshindani”
He who does not accept defeat, cannot win – or be a leader”.
Mr. Mucheru, could all these African sayings be wrong?
Let us all wait for events to take their cause.
It’s only a few days left.
The God of Kenya is still on the thrown.
In all the years you quoted…
In all the years you quoted above, who said he was DEFEATED????? He won them ALL, in all fairness.
Ruto is just whining because…
Ruto is just whining because he I’ll be defeated hands down come 9 August 2022. Ruto is the most corrupt character in the whole world and he has no business contesting for presidency in kenya. He and Rigathi will rob kenya blind should they be elected.
He wants other ranking government officials to resign but he has not resigned as DP himself. Kenya does not need such a high headed attitude of arrogance and selfishness.
@khaemba, it doesn’t bother…
@khaemba, it doesn’t bother you when thieves call other people thieves? Have you ever had of Kazi kwa vijana and Rail? Have you ever had of the Kisumu molasses? Rail is worthy Billions, do you know any place he ever held a job other than being in govt? This man Raila had thousands killed due to 1982 coup. MoI had many air force Lou men hanged for treason due to Raila. Be fair, you can support Rail but it is weak mindedness to believe that there is only one thief in Kenya.
How can it bother me when…
How can it bother me when Ruto is called a thief with all the clear facts everywhere? You must be a thief too if it bothers you to know DP Ruto is a thief. Do you want facts? Where do you want me to start? ? acres Ruto stole from Muteshi, nursery school land in Langata, airport land where Weston is build, 15000 acres in Laikipia, 25 billion shillings of money laundering, etc. And how about the 4 billion shillings Rotich took to Ruto’s Surgoi in sacks? Shame on you fella…
I do not see Raila mentioned…
I do not see Raila mentioned in what you are responding to because he is as white as snow – mweupe kama pamba. Why are you hallucinating with Raila simply because your Ruto guy is hell corrupt?
Besides causing chaos after…
Besides causing chaos after every other election, track record yake iwapi! In the words of Aisha, “Funganya virago usipate aibu.”
This is not News to Real…
This is not News to Real people. Raila won in 2007, 2013 and 2017 hands Down. And he’s Going to Do it Hands down Whether they Steal it AGAIN or not.
Kenya will be eternally…
Kenya will be eternally cursed if Ruto wins the forth coming election. His win is equivalent to put Satan in Charge of Heaven. Nothing good can come out that scenario.
I have been saying this over…
I have been saying this over and again. Raila is a very selfish individual. It’s only about himself and no one else. You would see what happens if you ever tried to oppose him in Nyanza.
He has been earning millions every year from taxpayers money being an official opposition leader but has absconded his responsibilities for the last four years. He could have resigned instead of getting paid for what he is not doing.
He has been helping to run down the government instead of helping to fix it.
I have heard numerous times some saying deputy president has not been doing work while he gets paid. Can somebody show me what work is left undone?
Ruto at the same time has been donating his salary to either church or the needy.
Time will come when we will line up these CS’s for abdicating their mandatory responsibilities and instead are out campaigning for political candidates. That’s not in their job description. They are at liberty to vote for the candidate of their choice but not to take a minute off to campaign.