Former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i has come out guns blazing, launching a scathing attack on President William Ruto and his government.

At the top of his agenda is the current fuel crisis, which has seen Kenyans pay dearly for a litre of diesel and petrol, even after the VAT reversal from 16% to 8%, as per the latest announcement by EPRA.

Speaking exclusively to a local TV station from his Karen home in Nairobi on Sunday, April 19, 2026, Matiang’i poured cold water on the said Government-to-Government fuel deal.

He went on to openly state that the issue should not be framed as a government-to-government arrangement, but rather a matter directly tied to President Ruto’s administration and how it is handling public affairs.

Fuel attack

“I think I will be able to make a difference. I am the real deal; look no further. The focus for me, if I got the opportunity, is to restore the trust of the people in government so that the government can be believed again,” Matiang’i said.

“It’s Government to Gangsters, in fact, sometimes I call it G to R, Government to Ruto. It cannot be G to G. When you raise questions, it is shrouded and covered in PR, propaganda, and lies,” he added.

His remarks come as pressure continues to mount over the cost of living, with fuel prices remaining a major concern for households, transport operators and businesses across the country.

Matiang’i further claimed there is growing frustration within government itself, alleging that some public officers are unhappy with the current state of affairs.

“If I were in government, I would be worried today. The amount of information that is being shared by public officers and government officials who are completely sick, tired, and frustrated by the way things are being done,” he said.

Governance push

He argued that ordinary workers are carrying the heaviest burden as taxes rise and living costs remain high.

“When things happen the way they are happening, the Kenyan worker is the one paying the highest price in all these. The pay slip means nothing,” he said.

The Jubilee presidential hopeful also defended public demonstrations, saying protests should push leaders to be more transparent and accountable.

“The demonstrations are and should force the government to be much more accountable and transparent, and look for solutions,” he said.

Matiang’i then widened his criticism beyond fuel, saying Kenya’s biggest challenge is poor discipline in leadership and disregard for the law.

“Discipline is destiny. If we are not disciplined, we are not going to run a country.

“These guys asked for an opportunity to lead the country, not to loot it. Their president is elected to govern the country, not to own it.

“What you see going on is an attempt to own the country, and that is totally different from governing a country,” Matiang’i said.

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