Matiangi says now vindicated after Appellate Court dropped contempt charges 

Presidential Aspirant Fred Matiang’i Saturday said the dismissal of contempt of court charges against him by the Court of Appeal now makes him a free person to challenge William Ruto in 2027.

The former education CS was with two others were slapped with Sh200,000 as fine for failing to set free controversial Canada based lawyer Miguna Miguna.

The lawyer had illegally sworn in ODM boss Raila Odinga as the People’s President sparking a string of arrests and forced expulsion for others like Miguna.

Also indicted alongside Matiangi was former Immigration Permanent Secretary Gordon Kihalangwa and former Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet.

The court found them guilty of contempt of court.

Dr Miguna had accused the trio of failing to heed up the court orders issued by Justice George Odunga to have be set free.

Later, he issued summons to the three to appear before him, but they failed to do so, leading to a Sh200,000 fine per person.

They however later moved to court demanding that the charges be dropped by the court.

They faulted the judgement by Odunga saying it was done orally rather than a formal one.

They also argued that they were denied audience and fair hearing.

Justices Wanjiru Karanja, Lydia Ajode and Joel Ngugi said the High Court had imposed the punishment on them without formal institution of the contempt application. They thus quashed the fines.

On Saturday , Matiangi while speaking during a church service at Nyamache Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) said the decision by the court now vindicates him of ill will in his dischargement of duty.

“It is now clear that I was working for the good of our people, there were no ill motive,” he stated.

“So for those who had been discussing that I will not be in the ballot, wait for me, we will meet. I am brave person that can never be intimidated. We will see each other then.”

Dr Matiang’i assured Kenyans that he is ready for the task.

“Let me tell you, Kenyans. I am ready to fix the rot and mess in this country because if the kind of looting that is happening in our country continues, then we are headed south.

“It is not good news that every day we wake up, we hear and read that this has been looted here and that has been looted there,” Dr Matiang’i added.

He said the Kenya Kwanza government has failed in its mandate adding that education was already failing.

“Parents are suffering. But these are matters that we shall address once I get there. I am firmly persuaded that God will grant us victory to deal with these issues,” Dr Matiangi said.

He further rubbished the recent string of Statehouses delegation visits likening the seat of power a new hotel in Nairobi.

“There is a restaurant that has opened as governor Arati said. Please eat in that restaurant and when you are done with it, cast your votes in favour of Dr Matiang’i so that we can move forward. When you go there, eat well and finish all the food that is there. Come home,” Dr Matiang’i said.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who recently led a delegation of Members of the County Assemblies (MCAs) of Kisii and Nyamira to meet President Ruto in State House, accompanied Dr Matiangi to the church.

He defended his visits to State House saying they were for the common good of the community.

He however said he would support Matiangi at the right time.

“You must love your child however lame he may be,” he stated.

Also in attendance was Governorship aspirant Dr Enock Ondari.