Kimani Ichung’wah Recalls Turning Down William Ruto’s Offer for Interior CS Post

Kimani Ichung’wah Recalls Turning Down William Ruto’s Offer for Interior CS Post

Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah has revealed that he once declined an offer from President William Ruto to serve as Cabinet Secretary for Interior, shedding light on behind-the-scenes negotiations during the lead-up to the 2022 General Election.

Speaking in a recent interview on a YouTube channel hosted by media personality Obinna, Ichung’wah recounted that the offer was made at a politically sensitive time, when he had expressed reservations about Ruto’s choice of running mate, Rigathi Gachagua.

According to the legislator, he had supported the candidacy of Kithure Kindiki for the deputy president position, and his opposition to Gachagua’s nomination prompted discussions with Ruto.

“Ruto told me that if I feared Gachagua, he was ready to give me the Interior CS post so that we meet in the Cabinet,” Ichung’wah disclosed.

Despite the significance of the role, Ichung’wah said he turned down the offer, citing a desire to continue serving his constituents and contribute to legislative leadership in Parliament.

“I told the president that I didn’t want that position, because I had another calling: to serve the people of Kikuyu,” he said.

He added that he advised Ruto on the importance of maintaining strong allies within the National Assembly, especially at a time when many political figures were seeking positions within the executive arm of government.

“I also told him that many of his allies wanted to move to the Cabinet and hence he needed strong voices in the National Assembly, and that is how I became the Leader of Majority,” he explained.

Ichung’wah, now serving his third term as MP, has since taken up the influential role of Majority Leader in the National Assembly, positioning himself as a key figure in advancing the government’s legislative agenda.

He further indicated that he has no immediate interest in joining the Cabinet or transitioning to executive roles, maintaining that his focus remains on parliamentary service.

Beyond the Cabinet, the MP also dismissed speculation about a possible bid for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat, despite his prominence in the region’s political landscape.

In the same interview, Ichung’wah reflected on his strained relationship with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, attributing the fallout to his close political alignment with Ruto during Uhuru’s second term.

Tensions between the two reportedly escalated in 2019 when Ichung’wah, then chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, declined to approve funding for the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme without full parliamentary debate.

He maintained that the programme required proper scrutiny and adherence to legislative procedures before funds could be allocated.

“I insisted that the programme lacked proper funding and that Parliament had to deliberate on it before any approval,” he said.

According to Ichung’wah, the disagreement led to a series of confrontations, including late-night phone calls from the former president, which he described as intense and pressuring.

“I told him to go ahead and do the worst, even kill me, because I would not approve the UHC budget without the National Assembly deliberating on it,” he claimed.

Political analysts note that Ichung’wah’s revelations offer insight into the internal dynamics of Kenya’s political leadership during a critical election period, highlighting the balancing act between executive appointments and legislative influence.

The remarks also underscore the strategic considerations that shape political alliances and decisions, particularly in high-stakes electoral contexts.

As Kenya continues to navigate its political landscape, Ichung’wah’s account provides a rare glimpse into the personal convictions and institutional priorities that influence leadership choices at the highest levels of government.

ALSO RAED: Court of Appeal Overturns 2022 Abortion Ruling, Says Abortion Not a Fundamental Right

Kimani Ichung’wah Recalls Turning Down William Ruto’s Offer for Interior CS Post