Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho confirmed that intelligence assessments from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) indicate Raila Odinga holds a 60% lead over William Ruto in Kenya's 2022 presidential election, positioning the Azimio candidate for a first-round victory.
Kibicho criticized Ruto's campaign for attempting to shape public perception through strategic messaging, despite data suggesting Odinga's dominance. "This is intelligence data and that’s what it states. It is about 60 percent," he told Citizen TV, emphasizing factual analysis over political narratives.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru previously highlighted similar findings, stating Odinga's victory in the August 9 election would not require electoral manipulation. "Even if we wanted to, it is technically impossible to corrupt the process of picking the fifth president," he said, citing Odinga's strategic advantage after selecting Martha Karua as his running mate.
Despite claims of government interference, Kibicho reiterated that officials rely on verified intelligence rather than political perceptions. "We don’t deal with those perceptions, we deal with facts on the ground," he stated, defending the role of civil servants in civic education. He challenged Ruto's camp to engage in similar outreach, noting Azimio's invitation for such activities.
Ruto's campaign has accused officials of biased involvement, but Kibicho maintained that civic education differs from campaigning. "Cabinet Secretaries are allowed by law to participate in campaigns," he said, stressing adherence to legal frameworks. The Interior CS also criticized Ruto for misrepresenting government policies, including false promises about fertilizer prices and the Kenya Meat Commission.
With Odinga projected to secure 60% of votes and Ruto 38%, Kibicho affirmed the government's commitment to a transparent process. "The rule of the people shall prevail on August 9 2022," he declared, reinforcing President Uhuru Kenyatta's stance on democratic principles.