Amos Kimunya Accuses Interior CS Fred Matiang'i of Ruining Kenya's Economy

Kipipiri Member of Parliament Amos Kimunya has accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i of playing public relations gimmick in the ongoing fight against contraband goods.

The veteran politician dismissed Matiang'i's recent claims that illegal sugar smuggled into the country was found to contain poisonous compounds such as mercury and copper.

Kimunya termed Matiang’i as ‘inexperienced’ and an ‘activist’ pretending to be working at the expense of Kenya’s economy. 

Kimunya said such information should never be released to the public as it risks ruining the country's economy by among others, driving away tourists.

“When a cabinet secretary stands up and says that Kenyan sugar has mercury, what are Kenyans supposed to do?"

“Imagine a tourist in America, who had booked to come to Kenya and reads headlines that a cabinet secretary has said that Kenyan sugar has mercury and is coming to our hotel. Will he come?” posed Kimunya.

The former Finance Minister said such statements made by Matiang'i are unwarranted to preserve the country’s image.

“And we keep blaming the Americans that they are giving travel advisories and it is because of our inexperience and activism even in government that we are now trying to kill the same economy we are hoping to build,” said Kimunya.

Kimunya said he has 10 years experience in Cabinet and such matters are not supposed to be shouted over the media.

“Let’s pray for Kenya and try to teach people that there are secrets you don’t go telling people just to appear you are the minister who is working the most,” Kimunya said.

“We did it in our time, We are going to suffer as a country,” said the MP.