Interior CS Fred Matiang'i has penned an emotional letter to his colleagues at the Interior Ministry and civil service ahead of his exit from the office.

Matiang'i addressed the letter on Friday to the Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Director of Criminal Investigations, Commissioners General of Prisons Director General, Kenya Coast Guard Services Director General, Immigration Secretary, Internal Security, Principal Administrative Secretary, Secretary, National Administration, Secretary Internal Security and Regional Commissioners.

In his letter, Matiang'i thanked the outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta for trusting him. He expressed his gratitude for the consideration of working in Uhuru's cabinet in four various ministries.

"It has been five years and a month of an exciting tour of duty and pleasurable service to our beloved country under the great leadership of His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta. I want to thank him for bestowing his trust in me. I am humbled by the privilege to serve in his Cabinet in four different ministries over the entirety of his tenure. I can never thank him enough for this honour," Matiang'i said.

The CS also thanked his colleagues from whom he sought counsel repeatedly and found reliable inspiration for important decisions and actions around several matters.

"I will be eternally grateful to Principal Secretaries Dr. (Eng.) Karanja Kibicho (Interior). and Ms. Zeinab Hussein and Ms. Safina Kwekwe (Correctional Services), the two Inspectors General of Police I worked with: Mr. Joseph Boinnet, and Mr. Hilary Mutyambai, Commissioners General of Prisons: Mr. Isaiah Osugo, Mr. Wycliffe Ogallo and Brig (Rtd) John Warioba and their highly skilled and patriotic cadre. In their counsel that I often sought, I found a reliable inspiration for important decisions and actions around policy, strategy and the implementation of the same," he said.

In his letter, Matiang'i also urged his colleagues to support the incoming administration while underscoring the troubles they went through together during the recent election.

"The dawn of a new administration is at hand. I invite you to take deserved pride in your role as security providers for supporting the delivery of the most peaceful election in Kenya's history. Despite immense criticism, scorn and false accusations of scheming to manipulate and interfere with the General Election, our sector put up a stellar and professional performance in supporting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct the General Election. This has been lauded by election observers and Kenya's Development Partners," Matiang'i said.

"The just-concluded Presidential petitions and the subsequent ruling did not indict our expansive team across the country in any wrongdoing. This affirms our collective professionalism and due diligence to duty. Equally, it is my conviction that those tasked with facilitating the smooth transition to the next administration will exhibit similar professionalism."

Matiang'i highlighted some of the memorable events during his work in Uhuru's cabinet.

Below is the full letter Matiang'i wrote to his colleagues as he exits Harambee House: