The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga has said he will keep Interior CS Fred Matiang’i in his administration if he is elected president in the August general election.


Raila said that while addressing an Azimio rally in Ekerenyo, Nyamira County on Friday where the coalition was on a campaign trail.

The former premier defended Matiang’i from the fervent attacks from leaders in the Kenya Kwanza coalition and pledged to defend him from any political attacks.


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Raila said Kenya Kwanza leaders were criticising Matiang’i because of his boldness in serving the county and his good work.

“He is a man who knows how to do his work and that is why the criminals are fighting him,” Raila said.

"I am here with my son, Fred Matiang'i, we have come from very far with him. Because of the good job that he does, he is facing opposition from other people we know. They are really attacking him but he is under Baba’s shield. After the August polls, we shall continue working together," Raila said.


“I will protect him. Here on the ground, I can see you are standing strong with Matiang’i, and up there I will be standing with him. We will continue working with him after the 9th of August."

Raila however did not endorse any ODM candidate in a bid to avoid conflict in the region that has attracted several aspirants from various Azimio affiliate parties.

He urged the voters to make their choice and elect the most popular candidates from within the Azimio coalition.


Raila said every Azimio affiliate party may field any candidate for any position because a victory for any candidate is a victory for the coalition.

“I have seen a lot of candidates in the region from Wiper, UPA, ODM KANU…all these candidates are under Azimio. They are all children of the same mother fighting for their mother’s attention but still have the same father,” Raila said.


The political rally was attended by among other leaders, Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Matiang’i, Junet Mohamed, James Ongwae, Gladys Wanga, Hassan Joho and Muhkisa Kituyi.