Matiang’i faults Ruto’s govt over insecurity, says Kenya is on a dangerous path

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary and presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i has warned that Kenya is sliding into anarchy, accusing the government of failing in its constitutional duty to protect citizens while urging opposition leaders to unite ahead of the country’s next political phase.

Speaking at Apondo SDA Church in Ahero, Kisumu County, on July 4, 2026, Matiang’i said the country was experiencing a dangerous breakdown of law and order, citing recent incidents of violence and alleged attacks on civilians by criminal gangs.

He praised the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for championing unity and inclusive leadership, saying Odinga never promoted regional divisions despite his long political career. 

Matiang’i said Raila consistently treated leaders from across the country as one family and emphasised justice and the welfare of ordinary Kenyans.

“Every time I met Raila, I never heard him insult fellow Kenyans or threaten anyone. Even after all the hardships he went through, he always believed problems could be resolved through dialogue,” Matiang’i said.

The former Interior CS also acknowledged Siaya Governor James Orengo, saying leaders should embrace peace and work together across political and regional lines. 

He urged leaders from Nyanza, Western Kenya and other regions to unite and speak with one voice in pursuit of national cohesion.

Matiang’i, who previously served as Interior Cabinet Secretary, said his experience in the security sector made him deeply concerned by the country’s current trajectory. 

Insecurity weakening the state authority

He argued that increasing incidents of violence, including attacks carried out by organised groups, pointed to weakening state authority.

He accused security agencies of failing to prevent violence despite having elaborate county security structures bringing together administrators, police, intelligence officers and investigators.

According to Matiang’i, such incidents could not occur without the knowledge of local security leadership, and those responsible should be held accountable. 

The former interior Cabinet Secretary condemned what he described as “primitive behaviour” involving attacks on citizens, saying democratic competition should never be accompanied by violence or intimidation. 

He maintained that every Kenyan has a constitutional right to participate in politics without fear.

Matiang’i further alleged that criminal gangs had become increasingly organised, warning that Kenya risked institutionalising violence if decisive action was not taken.

“Once lawlessness becomes normalised, it becomes difficult for any government to regain control,” he said. 

He expressed concern over what he described as growing fear among ordinary Kenyans, saying no citizen should have to worry about their safety while going about their daily activities.

“I want to urge that freedom of movement, association and political participation are constitutional rights that must be protected regardless of one’s political affiliation,” he urged. 

The presidential hopeful cautioned that continued tolerance of violence and impunity could have long-term consequences for the country’s democratic institutions, warning that leaders who fail to address lawlessness today could eventually become victims of the same system. 

He pleaded with those in positions of authority to restore public confidence by ensuring that the law is applied equally to all.

Vows private legal action

Matiang’i also revealed that he had assembled a team of lawyers and technology experts to identify individuals allegedly involved in recent violent incidents captured on video in Kisii Keumbo market that occurred on July 3, 2026. 

He said if law enforcement agencies failed to investigate and prosecute those responsible, private legal action would be pursued to ensure accountability.

Without directly addressing President William Ruto for most of his speech, Matiang’i said the Head of State bears the primary constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the lives of Kenyans and securing the country’s borders. 

He argued that the government had failed in that obligation by allowing insecurity and violence to escalate.

He further criticised what he described as the use of money to influence politics, urging churches and citizens not to accept funds that, in his view, were acquired through wrongdoing. 

“I am appealing to religious leaders to remain firm in defending moral values and rejecting political intimidation,” he said. 

Reaffirming his political commitment, Matiang’i said he would continue engaging Kenyans across the country and listening to their concerns. 

He called on citizens to remain peaceful, united and prayerful, saying the country could overcome its current challenges if leaders embraced justice, accountability and national unity.

The former CS also urged Kenyans to hold hands across political and regional divides and work together to restore the country’s democratic values. 

He said lasting peace, security and prosperity would only be achieved through dialogue, respect for the rule of law and servant leadership.

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