ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru is under fire from Deputy President William Ruto’s camp over alleged election malpractice claims.
Ruto’s Campaign Secretariat expressed concern about Mucheru’s relationship with Azimio la Umoja Presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga in a statement released on Thursday, May 5.
“Of particular concern is the emergence of an outrageous video clip of ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru pledging his allegiance, committing public resources and institutions and declaring state support for the Azimio la Umoja and its project,” the statement read.
In the video, Mucheru is thought to have pledged support for Raila’s presidential bid and stated that the ICT sector was critical in elections.
Senior government officials, including ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, were alleged to have assumed roles and positions in order to influence the conduct and outcome of the August 2022 election, according to the team.
“Of concern to us is the critical role the Ministry of ICT plays in supervising and overseeing the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK). CAK provides the technological framework for IEBC to conduct digital registration, digital tallying and relaying of results electronically, which affects the verifiability, transparency, accountability and credibility of elections as per the Constitution,” the statement read.
Despite being accused of making dubious statements, the CS is in charge of one of the country’s most important Ministries ahead of the August elections.
The secretariat, led by Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok, chastised the ICT CS for openly declaring support for Raila while in charge of a ministry that will be crucial in the August elections.
Nanok has petitioned the IEBC to take action against CS Mucheru, his Interior counterpart Fred Matiangi, Eugene Wamalwa (Defense), Peter Munya (Agriculture), and Mutahi Kagwe (Health) for repeatedly violating Section 15 of the Election Offences Act 2016.
