Former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i has hit out at the government for what he terms misplaced priorities in managing political activities. He accused state agencies of obsessively targeting opposition figures while neglecting the actual security crises facing ordinary Kenyans.
Speaking during a church service at PEFA Works in Kajiado County on Sunday, April 12, 2026, Matiang’i questioned why the police treat leaders engaging with the public as significant security threats.
He highlighted recent confrontations in Kikuyu, where police met United Opposition leaders with heavy force and tear gas. Matiang’i argued that these aggressive tactics stifle democratic expression and spark needless tension nationwide. He urged the government to redeploy security resources toward genuine threats that affect citizens daily, rather than monitoring political tours.
“Government should focus on the threat profile, not focus on us political leaders who are addressing supporters. If you want to come to Kajiado, just come; we are not eating Kajiado; we will leave it all here. You can come tomorrow and talk to the people of Kajiado if you want, Rigathi Gachagua na sisi wengine kuenda kikuyu, hatuendi kukula kikuyu, we will be out; you can go there tomorrow also,” Matiang’i said.
The former Interior CS also challenged the police’s reliance on force during these engagements, describing the tactics as excessive and indefensible, particularly when leaders are merely holding meetings with citizens.
“Why are you deploying police to throw teargas on us na kutupiga risasi? We don’t understand what this is all about; tuko na shida kweli Kenya, but hatukufi moyo,” Matiang’i stated.
Looking ahead, Matiang’i promised that an alternative leadership would anchor itself on respect, active listening, and the end of political harassment. He positioned himself and his allies as a team dedicated to rebuilding trust in the nation’s governance.
“We will give Kenyans a trustworthy government that listens to them, a government that won’t harass others; we will respect all leaders,” Matiang’i stated.
Drawing from his extensive background in the security sector, Matiang’i urged the government to pivot its attention back to genuine crime and insecurity rather than pursuing what he described as political distractions. He argued that state resources would serve the public better if used to clear criminals from the streets instead of monitoring political rivals.
“I was in security leadership, and I want to tell the government to focus on the country’s security threats profile. I’m sure we are not among that list. Pull resources together and get pickpockets out of the streets of Nairobi,” Matiang’i stated.
He concluded by warning that using force against political figures and their supporters rarely produces lasting results. He cautioned the authorities to rethink their current strategy, suggesting that such tactics ultimately fail to sustain a government’s survival.
“Kututorosha kutoka kikuyu, hayo mambo ni temporary, yataisha tu, tumeona mambo mingi lakini sijawai ona serikali imetumia polisi vibaya and it survived, nothing,” Matiang’i said.
