Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has called on President William Ruto to take decisive action against political violence, saying Kenya has the security capability to stop armed gangs from disrupting political activities.

Speaking during a public engagement on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Matiang’i condemned incidents where groups armed with clubs, machetes, and arrows have attacked rivals, disrupted meetings, and intimidated citizens, insisting such lawlessness should not exist in a country with a functioning government.

“We are not a country without a government. We are not a banana republic. We have a government in place… Act decisively, Mr. President, and firmly, and ensure that these things are sorted out,” Matiang’i said.

Law should apply to everyone

The former Interior CS argued that the law should apply equally to everyone, regardless of their political affiliation.

“Whether they are your friends, whether they are in your government, sort them out. The law is there for all of us,” he added.

Positioning himself as an alternative leader ahead of the 2027 General Election, Matiang’i said such incidents would not occur under his administration.

“This thing wouldn’t happen if I was president. You will never, ever talk about this thing if I was in charge. How can I be commander-in-chief of a country where people carry rungus around and beat others? It will not work. If you want a solution to those issues, I think I am that solution,” he said.

Why it matters

Matiang’i’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny over organised groups accused of disrupting political rallies, public demonstrations and official events.

The groups have been linked to assaults, intimidation and destruction of property, raising concerns over political violence, public security and the rule of law.

President Ruto has recently pointed to what he described as the government’s success in tackling terrorism and banditry, saying the same resolve would now be directed at organised criminal gangs.

“Those terrorists who made life difficult for us, we annihilated them. Bandits and cattle rustlers are not anymore. Those who burnt businesses during demonstrations are no more also,” he said.

The issue has attracted criticism from political leaders, civil society organisations and human rights groups, who have called for impartial investigations and accountability for those responsible for organising or financing acts of political violence.

President Ruto said Kenya had reached a common understanding on the need to eliminate goonism, which he linked to political violence, intimidation and public disorder.

“These goons, there are people who have been sympathetic to them. We are all now in agreement that we will end goonism in the country,” Ruto said.