Kioni: I declined Ruto’s Interior CS offer

By Wanderi Kamau

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has revealed that he turned down an offer to serve as Interior Cabinet Secretary in President William Ruto’s administration.

Speaking during an interview on Inooro FM’s Keera political show on Tuesday night, Kioni said state operatives had approached him multiple times in an attempt to persuade him to accept the powerful position.

He, however, stood firm in his refusal, citing political differences and ideological misalignment with the current government.

“It is not probably. They [state operatives] had come to my office several times,” Kioni said when asked whether he would consider a Cabinet role under President Ruto.

Kioni did not disclose the identities of the operatives sent to him but indicated that the push was persistent and deliberate. His remarks come amid increased political maneuvering by President Ruto, who has recently made significant appointments aimed at consolidating support in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.

In January, President Ruto appointed several influential Mt Kenya leaders to key Cabinet positions. Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo was named Cabinet Secretary for ICT, former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe took over the Agriculture docket, while former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui was appointed Trade CS.

Mt Kenya politics and Ruto’s strategic appointments

The appointments followed a high-profile meeting between President Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta at Uhuru’s rural home in Ichaweri, Gatundu South, Kiambu Constituency. The meeting has sparked speculation of a possible political truce between the two leaders, who have been at odds since the 2022 General Election.

Analysts believe Ruto’s overtures to Mt Kenya leaders and his reconciliation with Uhuru are aimed at neutralizing the influence of formerd Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, with whom Ruto fell out with. The reappointments are also interpreted as a way of stabilizing the political terrain in the region ahead of the 2027 polls.

Kioni, who has been a vocal critic of the Ruto administration, reiterated that his political allegiance remains with the Jubilee Party, which has endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for the presidency in 2027.

“Raila Odinga is still welcome in Jubilee, but he must be ready to contest for the 2027 presidential ticket against Matiang’i,” Kioni said, acknowledging that the party is open to competition but firm in its support for Matiang’i’s candidacy.