Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has faced fresh criticism over unresolved high-profile cases, including the discovery of bodies in River Yala. The criticism came from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who accused Matiang’i and others of failing to provide answers to Kenyans.

Speaking during a Community Engagement Forum in Namagara, Malava, on Saturday, November 22, 2025, Mudavadi said he wanted clarity on what happened during Matiang’i’s time at the Interior Ministry.

“Ati sijui mwingine alikuwa Interior, mwingine alikuwa wapi, ati wanazurura hapa Malava. Sisi tunataka tuambie akina Matiang’i na wengine, ‘wewe wakati ulikuwa mkubwa wa Interior, bado kuna maswali tunangoja. Miili iliyopatikana huko Yala. Wakenya wanangoja hayo yajibiwe vizuri. Tueleze kabisa nini ilifanyika,” he said.

Matiang’i has previously defended his record, arguing that his ministry followed up on all investigations until the end of his tenure. In a TV interview aired in July 2025, he said that the River Yala case was escalated to the then-Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai.

According to Matiang’i, the police required families to positively identify the bodies to determine the circumstances of their deaths. He said the file remained open and was still under investigation when he left office. Matiang’i also said he was ready to testify in a public inquiry if one was convened.

The River Yala case had drawn national attention. Authorities recovered over 30 bodies from the river. Matiang’i has argued that an open public inquest could resolve lingering doubts.

Politics heats up

While the focus has been on Matiang’i, the political landscape in western Kenya is also heating up. On Saturday, Mudavadi warned Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya that his political actions could have consequences ahead of the 2027 elections.

During the Malava forum, he cautioned Natembeya against making statements or moves that could backfire politically.

“Ndugu yetu, anatoka kule trans nzoia. Anakuja hapa anasema, anasema maneno anasema. Nataka nimwaambie, ukiwa kwa nyumba ambayo ina vioo, madirisha ya vioo, usirushe mawe. Kwa sababu pia wewe unaishi kwa nyumba ya vioo,” he said.

“Tukifika 2027, sisi tuna vijana tayari watasimama governor Trans Nzoia. Nakwaambia, utatembea tu Trans Nzoia. Tutakupangia, kwa sababu sisi pia ni wanasiasa.Usifikiri ati unazunguka hapa, we shall have candidates. Tutakuzungusha, na watakung’oa. We are politicians.”