GEOFFREY MBUTHIA ENTERTAINMENT SUB-EDITOR

29 August 2024

• Jeff Koinange himself was not spared as the government spokesperson also had some choice words for the former CNN journalist.

To say that lawyer and activist Morara Kebaso has been a thorn in the flesh of the government over the past few months would be an understatement.

This was proven without a shadow of a doubt yesterday when State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed and Morara engaged in a heated exchange over claims that President William Ruto reached out to Morara and offered him a job.

An upset dismissed Morara's assertions during a live call on Citizen TV on Wednesday night, calling them a "statement of imagination."

He expressed disbelief, stating, "I am shocked at what Morara is saying. I wonder why he would lie on national TV that the President called him. It's ridiculous that I have to respond to this, but let me do it because you, Jeff, let it happen on TV. For the record, such a call never happened."

Hussein also criticized Citizen TV host Jeff Koinange for allowing Morara to make these allegations without asking for proof.

"What is more shocking, Jeff, is that you can allow anyone to come on TV and tell you such a thing without demanding any proof or substantiation... All you should have done is say those are his words or alleged claims from him," Hussein argued.

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura supported Hussein's stance, denying any knowledge of such a call and urging Morara to be honest.

“Morara Kebaso, I am not aware of any call from the President to you. Please examine your conscience and show some patriotism. I just bumped into you at KICC like any other fellow citizen. Be honest with yourself,” Mwaura stated.

However, Morara remained firm, refusing to reveal details of the conversation but insisting he had been offered a job, which he declined.

“Initially, I had calls from people around the President. Then eventually, I got a call from the President. I spoke to him very respectfully because he is our President... Whatever I was offered, I refused; I was offered a state position,” he claimed.

When pressed for proof, Morara argued that it would be inappropriate to record or put the President on loudspeaker.

"I don’t think it’s good manners. For that reason, I will not focus on proving whether or not it happened. Isaac Mwaura knows it happened. William Ruto knows it happened. End of story,” he maintained.