Jubilee Deputy Leader and presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i has cautioned government officials over the dangers of abuse of power vested in them.

Speaking in Embu on Saturday, November 29, 2025, he expressed concerns about the trajectory the country could take if those in power continue in their prideful manner.

He particularly referenced the action or lack thereof from the government in areas of by-election, such as the Mbeere North mini-polls and those in his backyard in Nyasiongo, where he stated the citizens were brutalised and terrorised in a mere elective contest for a ward seat.

Destroy our country

“Power comes and goes! Ask me; I was the Minister for Interior once. I coordinated government, and there is nothing I do not know about running government. The kind of things we are seeing here are going to destroy our country,” he stated.

In a direct warning to the people in government, Matiang’i stated that the trends of uprisings occasioned by citizens against their government happened after people were pushed to a limit they could not take anymore.

“This unrest we see in other countries, where you see citizens rising and burning politicians’ houses and properties, starts in this manner.

The former CS challenged the people vested in power to be mindful of their actions, emphasising that power is always transient.

“Let us take this seriously. There is always a limit to the extent you can push people, and you never know how people will respond to the constant intimidation, bravado, threats, and abuse of power,” he concluded.

Matiang’i’s remarks come as some citizens in the regions holding by-elections have accused the government of imposing certain individuals as candidates, thereby interfering with their right to make independent decisions.

He further praised citizens of Mbeere North for standing firm during the by-election and acknowledged opposition leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and George Natembeya, for their role in defending democratic principles.