Government officials have sparked controversy by claiming that Raila Odinga will win the August 9 presidential election by 60 per cent of the vote.
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho and Information and Communications Technology Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru attributed their views to data collected by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), which falls under the security docket headed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i.
However, Deputy President William Ruto's allies have dismissed the claims as fake news and wishful thinking. Belgut MP Nelson Koech, Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, and city lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi accused Dr Kibicho and Mr Mucheru of being propagandists.
Mr Koech pointed out that the National Intelligence Service Act, 2012, prohibits the spy agency from partisan political pursuits. He also questioned why the officials were not using the official spokesperson, the Director-General, to communicate the NIS's views.
United Democratic Alliance chairman Johnson Muthama accused Dr Kibicho of planning to rig the election by using unsubstantiated remarks to sway public opinion.
Mr Abdullahi challenged Dr Kibicho and Mr Mucheru to campaign for Mr Odinga instead of making unsubstantiated remarks, saying elections are not won by issuing silly statements.
At the same time, the DP's allies have lashed out at President Kenyatta for snubbing the DP during yesterday's Madaraka Day celebrations, accusing him of turning a national event into an Azimio campaign platform.
Dr Ruto, in a veiled reference to Wednesday's incident, said political battles should not lead to enmity as
