This archive report was first published on 23 September 2019.
On September 22, 2019, a heated exchange erupted between Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot at the funeral of industrialist Stephen Ongenyo in Nyamira County.
Senator Cheruiyot claimed that Deputy President William Ruto had summoned him to his office to discuss the planned impeachment of CS Matiang'i over the Ruaraka land saga.
“… Siku hiyo nilipata simu kali sana, siku hiyo nilipigiwa na Deputy president William Ruto… akanisummon kwa office yake. Mimi kufika nikapata deputy president na huyu CS Matiangi ako hapo. Deputy President akaniambia mambo gani hiyo inaendelea? Nikamuambia hiyo ni fitina ya senator was Homa Bay na watu wa ODM…” Cheruiyot narrated.
However, CS Matiang'i vehemently denied the claims, stating that he had never sat in a meeting with Deputy President Ruto and Senator Cheruiyot to discuss his impeachment.
“Senator Cheruiyot, unajua mimi, I was raised by Christian parents, I don’t lie… you have lied to my people here that you called me to a meeting with the deputy president… I never sat in that kind of meeting…” Matiangi said, before switching to his vernacular Gusii language.
