Abuse of power, arrogance, harassment: Matiang’i warns gov’t over misuse of state machinery

Speaking on Saturday during the funeral service of Canon Penina Ciambogo Ngung’i, mother to former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti, in Kanyuambora, Dr. Matiang’i urged the State to protect the integrity of Kenya’s electoral processes. He cautioned that repeated manipulation of elections risks plunging the country into political instability.

The former Interior CS condemned the alleged misuse of government resources during the campaigns, calling it insensitive at a time when many Kenyans are battling economic hardship.

"Yale mambo tumeona wiki hii ni ya ajabu. Acha sisi hiyo maneno, seneta amesema, ile vita tumepigana huku si watu wanazurura... wanaanza kutembea ward mara tatu kwa siku moja. Watu wanaingia huko na mandege na vishindo na madoido na arrogance na kujigamba, kutoa pesa na kusema sisi ni serikali hakuna kitu mtafanya na mambo kama hayo," he stated.  

"The founders of this nation, the people who fought for this country, must be turning in their graves to see what we're seeing now, unprecedented abuse of state power and incredible misuse of public resources and arrogance that has not been seen recently from government." 

"Power comes and goes, ask me, I was Interior CS before. I understand government; the kind of things we're seeing here are going to destroy our country. Please take this seriously, there's a limit to which you can push people. Because you don't know how these people will respond to constant harassment, intimidation, bravado and unprecedented abuse of power."

His sentiments were echoed by former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, who questioned the reported Ksh.600 million cost of the by-election, arguing that such an amount could have funded key development projects in Mbeere North.

"Come 2027, I can tell you and I swear, standing here, whatever we saw will not be repeated because nobody will have that kind of machinery and power and money to spend on one seat and I will tell you Ruto will be a one-term president," Linturi pointed out. 

Democratic Party leader and former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi also raised concerns over alleged irregularities during voting and tallying. Muturi hinted at the possibility of pursuing legal action to challenge the conduct of the poll.

“We shall consider every option available, including seeking legal redress, because elections must reflect the true will of the people,” Muturi noted.

Several other leaders, including Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni and Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba, attended the funeral and similarly stressed the importance of transparency and public trust in electoral processes.