Matiang'i says President Ruto ‘had knowledge’ of Homa Bay violence

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has accused President William Ruto and his administration of using violence as a political tool, alleging that the President was aware of plans to mobilise goons ahead of a political rally in Homa Bay.

Matiang’i said the violence witnessed in different parts of the country over the weekend pointed to a coordinated pattern that could not have occurred without the knowledge of the country’s security leadership.

“It is now abundantly clear that the President and his government have chosen violence as a weapon for political survival and engagement,” Matiang’i said.

The presidential aspirant cited several incidents, including the stoning of two vehicles belonging to his team in Mulot, the stoning of opposition leaders in Nakuru and incidents reported in Salgaa before the clashes witnessed in Homa Bay on Sunday.

According to Matiang’i, the scale of the violence raises questions about whether security agencies and the President were aware of what was unfolding.

“From my experience, I want to tell Kenyans very sincerely. I do not think, and I cannot see how the scale of violence in Homa Bay and the activity that happened there could have happened without the knowledge of the National Security Council, and without the knowledge especially of the ... the President receives executive intelligence briefing wherever he is," said Matiang'i, referring to his experience as a former Cabinet Secretary for Interior.

Matiang’i warned that the country was entering a dangerous period, saying Kenya had begun its ‘final descent towards anarchy’ if political violence was allowed to continue unchecked.

He said he would begin consultations with other opposition leaders on how to respond to what he described as an increasingly hostile political environment.

“Political difference is not a good enough excuse to inflict the kind of loss and pain we have witnessed this weekend,” he said.

Matiang’i also accused the government of what he termed ‘digital terrorism’ alleging that social media accounts belonging to opposition figures were being targeted.

He further claimed that opposition leaders had encountered vehicles fitted with signal jammers during political rallies, suggesting that such equipment could only be deployed by actors with significant resources.

“I believe this is the work of the state because who else has the capacity to do that?” he posed.

The former Interior CS also accused the government of exposing young people to crime by allegedly using them as instruments of political violence and providing them with what he described as a consistent source of income through criminal activities.

Matiang’i expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones during the weekend incidents and called for an end to political violence.

His remarks come amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election, with opposition leaders increasingly accusing the government of using state machinery and organised groups to suppress political dissent.