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NASA coalition’s presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s remarks on the appointment of Dr Fred Matiangi to the acting capacity of the Cabinet Secretary in place of the late Joseph Nkaissery who died under unclear circumstances has sparked mixed reactions from Kenyans on social media.
Raila who addressed the media in Mombasa said he was shocked by how quickly the president moved to appoint the Education CS Fred Matiangi tentatively yet the country was not in danger.
He said according to him the emergency at that time had been the sudden death of the Interior CS and not appointment of someone to act in his capacity, saying this had been done even before condolence messages were sent to the families and the country.
“This is a critical time in terms of the security docket and I have seen that Matiangi. What has shocked or surprised me is that before they even send messages of condolences, the first thing was to appoint someone in acting capacity. I believe this is doing things upside down,” said Mr Odinga.
President Uhuru announced the appointment of CS Fred Matiangi on Saturday.
PHOTO: President Uhuru Kenyatta with Education CS Fred Matiang'i yesterday.
Mr Odinga said it was the discretion of the Jubilee government to appoint whoever they wanted but what was needed by Kenyans was free, fair and credible elections.
It is the mention of elections that has seemed not to have gone so well with a number of Kenyans who have expressed angst for his having brought up the elections in what they expected to be mourning.
Raila had eulogized the late CS and praised him of having served the country diligently while in the army and afterwards and that they had been good friends despite their political differences.