A section of Kenyans thronged Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on the night of Thursday, June 19, 2025, to welcome back former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who made a return to the country after resigning from an international job abroad.
In a charged scene, the crowd erupted into chants of “Ruto must go!”—a defiant slogan aimed at President William Ruto.
The crowd, many waving their phones and singing songs of resistance, began gathering at JKIA early in the evening, steadily swelling in numbers as word spread that Matiang’i would be landing.
Police maintained a visible but relatively restrained presence, allowing the crowd to express their sentiments.
As the former CS emerged from the arrivals section, chants intensified, with supporters pushing forward for a glimpse of the man they believe will oust Ruto during the 2027 elections.
“Ruto must go, mwizi! Ruto must go, mwizi,” they chanted as they pushed to have a glimpse of Matiang’i.
While addressing them, Matiang’i noted that the time was ripe for having a conversation with all the stakeholders on the future of the country.
He, however, noted that the airport was a security place and that he, together with the supporters, would only be there briefly, but assured them of planning for a meeting within the next few days for talks.
“Thank you so much. Now, it is time for us to have a conversation with one another about the future of our country and try the best we can to be as orderly as we can ever be. That is why I was saying that this is the airport, and usually the airport is a security place. We will be brief here so that we cannot make it difficult for these wonderful people to man the airport because this is also the entry point to our country, and we must also make it easier for visitors and those who are coming into our country to get in peacefully and go on with their business. I want us to organise a meeting with all of you within the next few days so that we can get together and talk and now plan this together,” Matiang’i said.
Matiangi’s message to Gen Z
Matiang’i also condemned the events happening in the country and urged Gen Zs to register as voters so that they can bring the change they want.
“We can do as much as we want, but if we are not registering and preparing to vote, we have not succeeded. We must prepare to participate effectively and in a quality manner in the forthcoming elections,” he said.
