Matiang'i was a sterling public servant, Sakaja praises former Interior CS

This is after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja praised him for being a sterling public officer. 

Speaking on Saturday at the 'Omogusii Thanksgiving Sabbath' organised by leaders and members of the Gusii community, Sakaja said the Gusii community has produced top leaders in the country, one of them being Matiang'i.

"The kind of public officers you've given us over the years… you know them. Look at CS Machogu. Look at the kind of man he is. Remember Matiang’i? Even if we did not agree politically, that was a sterling public officer….Justice Maraga, Justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya, diligent, honest, beyond reproach," Sakaja said. 

Other leaders in the event also called for Matiang'i to come out and serve the country. 

Led by Rigoma Ward MCA and former Journalist Nyambega Gisesa, the leaders said they want Matiang'i to go for the country's top seat when the right time comes.

"We have seen Baba (Raila Odinga) and Ruto come together and Ruto is now helping him get the African Union Commission seat. We want you CS Ezekiel Machogu to also help Matiang'i get back into public service because he was a top leader," Gisesa said. 

Matiang'i was one of the top performing CSs in former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration, and was credited for effecting positive change in the three ministries he served (ICT, Education and Interior).

He, however, fell out with Ruto (then Uhuru's deputy) as he stuck with Uhuru and his allies, including Raila.

Matiang'i would later find himself in trouble when Ruto became president. His house was allegedly surrounded by police, forcing him to seek a court order barring his arrest.

However, a truce was reached between him and the Ruto administration through the intervention of Gusii leaders. 

Matiang'i has since kept a low profile and has not been seen in public again.