Matiang’i warns security chiefs against being used by politicians
By Mustafa Juma, January 26, 2026Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has issued a stern warning to officers in Kenya’s security agencies, urging them not to allow themselves to be used as instruments for political agendas that could tarnish their reputations and harm the country.
Speaking during an interview with K24TV on Monday, January 26, 2026, a day after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was attacked at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Matiang’i cautioned security personnel about the risks of participating in actions orchestrated for political gain.
“Kwa viongozi walioko katika vyombo vya usalama, msikubali kutumiwa kubeba maovu ya watu wengine au mipango ambayo inaharibu kwanza sifa zenu wenyewe na kuharibu nchi yako,” Matiang’i said.
Personal legal consequences
He added that continued misuse of security forces could even lead to personal legal consequences for the officers involved.
“Na wakati mwingine, ikiendelea namna hii, ikifika mahali ata wewe mwenyewe unaeza shitakiwa na hayo maneno na hauna haja nayo, ju unataka kutumikia nchi yako vizuri, ustaafu, uende nyumbani,” he noted.
Matiang’i further warned the security agencies’ leaders against issuing statements manufactured by politicians to suggest that some opposition leaders might have stage-managed attacks against themselves, questioning where the said leaders can get the teargas and the AK47 rifles to use against themselves in such attacks.
“Alafu unaanza kuambiwa maneno kama haya tunaona ati viongozi wanaenda kupanga alafu asubuhi unaamka kuzungumza maneno ya aibu, ati kiongozi alienda kujipangia. Nani ako na AK47 kwa nyumba yake? Nani ako na teargas kwa nyumba yake?” Mtiang’i remarked.
Gachagua dismisses stage-managing claims
Matiang’i’s remarks come hours after Gachagua accused specific individuals and police officers of violently attacking worshippers at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County.
According to Gachagua, tear gas filled the church compound, people were injured, vehicles were damaged, and one of his own cars was set on fire. He pointed to a group that had gathered earlier that day.
“Today in Witima, ACK Church, a gang of about 15 police officers, rogue officers under the command of two bodyguards, belonging to the guard of a Woman Rep,” Gachagua said on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader also dismissed claims of stage-managing the attack for public sympathy.
“I’ve seen a lot of nonsense by government bloggers trying to say that we can stage-manage our own attack. Where can we get access to tear gas? Is it sold in a supermarket or in Gikomba? Where do we get access to AK-47 assault rifles? Where do we get access to government land cruisers? Where do we get access to police uniforms? We can’t. And Kenyans are not foolish,” the former deputy president stated.