Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary Rachael Shebesh has poked holes in President Uhuru Kenyatta's endorsement of McDonald Mariga as the Jubilee candidate in the Kibra by-election.
In a video shared on Youtube, Shebesh noted that she was at State House when Deputy President William Ruto arrived there to seek President Uhuru's support. Shebesh claimed that the endorsement came after pressure from DP Ruto's camp.
“The Jubilee Party belongs to Uhuru Kenyatta. Should I tell you why? Because he is the president. Let's repeat that point, who is he? He is the president. The day he endorsed Mariga I was at State House as I had an assignment with the CS. I know how hey accessed State House through the back door. I know how they piled pressure to get that photo you saw. Our boss Uhuru has a voice. Did you hear him speak or you only saw the photos?" she asked.
(Chama ya Jubilee ni cha Uhuru Kenyatta. Nikuambie kwa nini? Kwa sababu yeye ni president. Turudie hapo, yeye ndio nani. Yeye ndiye president. Hiyo siku munaskia ya kuweka kofia mimi nilikuwa State House. Mimi nilikuwa State House na kazi ingine na CS. Mimi najua namna waliingia State House na mlango ya nyuma. Mimi najua venye waliweka pressure juu ya ile picha mliona. Munajua boss wetu Uhuru akona voice. Kuna mahali aliongea ama ni picha tu?)
However, a statement released by State House indicated that President Uhuru would support Mariga in the mini poll.
"The president wished Mr Mariga, who was accompanied by Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, success in the contest, and assured him of his full backing," read the statement.