Matiang’i warns against rising political violence, says opposition may be forced to defend itself
Matiang’i warns against rising political violence, says opposition may be forced to defend itself
Presidential hopeful and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i blamed President William Ruto for what he described as a growing culture of political thuggery and lawlessness, warning that the trend could undermine democracy if left unchecked.
Speaking in Nyanguru and Kisii town in Kitutu Chache South on Thursday, Matiang’i expressed concern over increasing cases of political violence and intimidation, saying security agencies had failed to act decisively against perpetrators.
“We have now even reached a level where elected leaders are getting attacked and no action is being taken by security agencies,” Matiang’i said.
He cited last week’s attack on Ichuni MCA Wycliffe Siocha, who sustained head and chest injuries and is currently recovering at a private hospital in Kisii. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident despite mounting pressure from leaders, including gubernatorial aspirant Ezekiel Machogu and several Kisii MCAs.
Matiang’i warned that while the opposition remained committed to peaceful and lawful political engagement, there was a limit to its restraint if state agencies failed to guarantee security.
“It won’t be a permanent position that we remain neutral. We can’t keep silent as our people get attacked. We can follow the law, but if they are not protecting us, we can also defend ourselves,” he said.
The former Education Cabinet Secretary accused the government of incompetence and claimed some of the resources being used to mobilise political goons were proceeds of corruption.
“The fact is we have the most incurably incompetent government in power at the moment. It is only running scared, and we have the real-time data to show for it,” he said.
He argued that escalating political violence reflected weak leadership and posed a serious threat to national cohesion, democracy and public safety.
Matiang’i also challenged Simba Arati to explain the deteriorating security situation in Kisii County, saying the attack on the Ichuni MCA represented a troubling development ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“We ask for peace. When we ask for peace, that does not mean we are cowards. We are a democracy. We can engage and differ, but we should never resort to violence for the sake of politics,” he said.
He further criticised leaders who allegedly sponsor violence through unemployed youth, warning that the country risked severe consequences if the trend continued.
“If we go this way, we shall surely reap badly as a country,” he warned.
Matiang’i was accompanied by Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi, MPs Clive Gisairo, Obadiah Barongo and Patrick Osero, as well as Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Machogu.
Onyonka accused President Ruto’s administration of worsening economic hardships for ordinary Kenyans through increased taxation and what he termed ineffective economic policies.
Barongo criticised Governor Arati for allegedly associating with individuals opposed to Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions, while Gisairo accused the governor of poor leadership and underperformance.
Machogu faulted security agencies for their handling of the attack on Siocha, questioning why investigators had yet to record a statement from the MCA nearly a week after the incident.
“There are certainly some forces behind this new contempt for the law. How can you explain that a week since the MCA was attacked in daytime, no officer has bothered to visit and record a statement from him?” he posed.
He said the government had a duty to protect all citizens regardless of their political affiliations and warned against normalising violence as a political tool.
“We cannot allow violence and intimidation to become the language of politics,” Machogu said.
Separately, Matiang’i alleged that individuals within government were targeting legislators supporting his presidential bid, claiming funds were being mobilised to finance campaigns against them.
Despite the claims, he said he remained committed to working with leaders elected by Kenyans in 2027, regardless of their political affiliations.