Deputy President William Ruto has threatened to name civil
servants whom he alleges are being used to intimidate politicians
supporting him.
Speaking in Meru on Sunday, the DP said
governors, MPs, MCAs and civil servants thought to be supporting his
2022 presidential bid are being threatened with arrest and prosecution.
He was speaking at Uganda Martyrs Catholic Church in Kibirichia after a two-day visit.
Dr Ruto said Kenya is a democratic state and everyone has the right to belong to whichever political affiliation one desires.
DESERVES RESPECT
The
DP, who was in Meru a week after the region hosted the BBI forum, said
he should be respected since he is in the presidency by his own right
and threatened to name in coming days the civil servants intimidating
him.
He cited the case where Meru Municipality MCA Elias Murega was
released on a Sh7 million bond after he was charged with obstructing
police officers.
“I know why (Governor) Kiraitu is not
here. It is because people are being threatened. Why are clerks and
people we have given jobs threatening people with cases? I am the deputy
president of Kenya, elected, and I have no apologies. Soon and very
soon, we are going to call them out.
MCAS INTIMIDATED
"They
are targeting very junior people including MCAs. If they are men
enough, let them come forward and face me. Let them not hide behind
shadows. We live in a democratic country and citizens, leaders and civil
servants should have the opportunity to make the choices they have
decided on their own," he said.
Dr Ruto was responding
to remarks by Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria
and his Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Ichung'wah who said that the
Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya Revenue Authority, the
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Judiciary are being used
to harass politicians allied to the DP.
DEEP STATE
Mr Kuria said the “deep State” is at play against Dr Ruto but predicted his triumph due to the support of the masses.
Mr
Ichung'wah had claimed that some elected leaders are being threatened
with actual bodily harm and death, if they do not support the BBI.
He
claimed the move to withdraw guns and bodyguards from some MPs allied
to Dr Ruto is part of the wider conspiracy to intimidate them.
The
MP alleged that the disbandment of the Flying Squad to form the ‘sting
squad’ was purposely meant to harass and terrorise MPs.
GOVERNORS FEARFUL
“All
our governors cannot stand their ground because of the intimidation
they are being subjected to. MPs are also being intimidated and
threatened with death. Those who support Ruto are being denied
protection. The politics of intimidation and coercion has no place
today. We survived during Moi’s regime because people resisted that
system,” said Mr Ichung’wah.
The MP at the same time
claimed that suspected corrupt individuals have been sanitised after
meeting with opposition leader Raila Odinga.
BBI
“When
you declare support for BBI and then accuse Ruto of being a thief, even
if you are corrupt, you are forgiven,” said Mr Ichung'wah.
Mr Linturi said it is frustrating that President Kenyatta has turned against the same people who helped him ascend to power.
“Government
agencies are being used against the same people who got the government
in power. The DCI, KRA and EACC should not be used to fight people,”
said Mr Linturi.
On his part, Dr Ruto reiterated that he will not be cowed and vowed to continue with his campaigns.
“I
sought for votes [together] with President Uhuru Kenyatta and it is
within my right to go round. I am determined in what I am doing since I
know there is an exam that awaits me. I want to work hard so that when
you mark the exam, I benefit,” he said.
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