Matiang’i raises concern over Uhuru Park access denial for TuKo Kadi concert
By Emmanuel Rono, May 2, 2026Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has criticised the decision to bar organisers of the TuKo Kadi concert from accessing Uhuru Park, despite what he says was full compliance with all required regulatory approvals.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Saturday, May 2, 2026, Matiang’i described the incident as “deeply troubling,” warning that it reflects a worrying pattern of intolerance and state interference that could undermine constitutional freedoms of expression, assembly, and enterprise.
“The reported blocking of the TuKo Kadi concert team from accessing Uhuru Park, despite months of compliance with all required approvals, is deeply troubling,” Matiang’i said.
Frustration of youth-driven initiatives
He argued that the alleged disruption of the youth-driven initiative raises serious questions about the country’s democratic space, particularly the treatment of lawful public events that have met official requirements.
According to the Jubilee deputy party leader, this act reflects a worrying pattern of intolerance and state interference that undermines the freedoms of expression, assembly, and enterprise.
“When lawful, youth-driven initiatives are frustrated in this manner, it raises serious concerns about the direction we are taking as a country,” Mating’i said.
Matiang’i further called for heightened civic awareness and mobilisation, urging citizens, especially young people, to remain vigilant and engaged.
Need for vigilance ahead of 2027 elections
He warned that continued restrictions on approved public gatherings risk eroding trust in governance systems as the country heads towards the next electoral cycle.
“We must remain vigilant. This moment calls for renewed civic awareness, sustained mobilization, and deliberate civic education, especially among our young people,” Matiang’i said.
“If public events that follow due process can be arbitrarily blocked, then we must begin to ask hard questions about the fairness of our democratic space as we approach the next elections. Kenya must be a nation where rules are respected, opportunities are protected, and every voice is allowed to be heard.”