Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has called on the government to cease blaming the opposition for the recent wave of unrest across the country and instead initiate a national dialogue to address the growing public discontent. 

Matiang’i, who was in the company of local leaders led by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, instead urged President William Ruto and his Cabinet to tone down political rhetoric and adopt a reconciliatory approach in light of the escalating tensions and deadly protests witnessed in recent days. 

They were addressing journalists in Thika, Kiambu County, after a Sunday service at PCEA church. 

“We are at a critical juncture as a nation. This is a time for patriotic leadership, not chest-thumping. Acknowledging that there’s a problem does not weaken your authority; it strengthens our democracy,” said Matiang’i, referencing President Ruto’s recent remarks that downplayed the protests. 

Public anger 

Matiang’i, who served in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, said the level of public anger and violence is unprecedented and warned that dismissing the grievances of Kenyans, especially the youth, could deepen the crisis. 

He criticised attempts by some government officials to trivialise last Wednesday’s protests—which turned deadly—by alleging that demonstrators were transported from Central Kenya and suggesting the unrest was ethnically motivated.

“Our country is clearly heading in the wrong direction. It is irresponsible and dangerous to reduce a national crisis to regional or ethnic scapegoating,” Matiang’i added. 

Echoing similar sentiments, MP Wamuchomba condemned the use of force against demonstrators, saying police brutality will only fuel more anger and resistance. 

Dialogue 

“Guns, teargas, and blame games will not solve anything. Dialogue is the only path forward. Leaders must act responsibly and urgently to restore peace,” she said. 

Reverend Daniel Kamau Nderitu, who led the church service, also weighed in, urging those in leadership to be peacemakers, not warmongers.

He called on the government to listen to the voices of young people and ordinary Kenyans, rather than suppressing dissent through violence. 

“The government must heed the cries of its people. Shooting protesters and silencing dissenters is not leadership—it is tyranny,” Rev. Nderitu told adherents at the packed church.  

Matiang’i has also hinted that he will soon embark on a series of political activities across the country aimed at popularising his bid and subsequently dislodging President William Ruto from office. 

Speaking at a burial ceremony of Jeremiah Nyang’ara, a retired teacher at  Sengera Bosoti, Bomachoge Chache Constituency, in Kisii County on Friday, the former CS said Kenya is headed in the wrong direction because of the increased killings of those who are perceived to be critical of the Kenya Kwanza regime and the runaway cost of living. 

“Let us pray for our country because, as you can see, things are not good. We have reached difficult times. You saw what happened the other day when our children were killed, but those in power claim that their killers came from one community,” Matiang’i said.