Senator Aaron Cheruiyot claims meeting with DP William Ruto that saved Fred Matiang'i in Ruaraka Land Saga

Senator reveals details of meeting with Ruto that saved Matiang'i in Ruaraka Land Saga

Mumbi Mutuko

September 23, 2019 7:58 AM

Washing dirty linen in public

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has disclosed details of a meeting with Deputy President William Ruto that saved Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi from the Ruaraka land saga.

Cheruiyot claims he was summoned by Ruto to his office where he was asked about an adverse report in the Senate touching on the CS.

He said that the meeting was because of a report by the Senate Public Accounts and Investment Committee that had recommended Dr Matiang’i and Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang be held accountable for the loss of Sh1.5 billion in the Ruaraka Land.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot Pulse Live Kenya

Ruto's questions

"I rushed to DP's office and found him with Matiang'i. He asked me about the issues with the report and I told him it was a witch hunt," the Kericho Senator alleged.

According to the Kericho Senator, he mobilised lawmakers in the National Assembly to weaken a similar report.

The report by the National Assembly did not find Matiangi’s at fault in the land scandal.

AG's report

However, Dr Matang'i rubbished the claims by Senator Cheruiyot, stating: "What you have heard someone say that there was a meeting, that's foolishness and stupidity."

Interior Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i Pulse Live Kenya

He continued: "What does it serve you to peddle lies when even God is a witness that there was no such meeting?"

A report by then Auditor-General Edward Ouko indicated that Government had paid Ksh1.5 billion for its own land with blame falling on top officials who are said to have ignored documents indicating the land had been surrendered for public utility.

Mumbi Mutuko