Matiang'i Claims Homa Bay Goons Were Mobilised With Ruto's Knowledge

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has accused President William Ruto’s administration of using violence to suppress political opponents, citing a series of incidents reported in several counties over the weekend.

Speaking in Nairobi on Monday, Matiang’i said the stoning of vehicles linked to his campaign in Mulot, attacks on opposition figures in Nakuru, clashes in Salgaa and violence at a rally in Homa Bay pointed to a coordinated campaign.

“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. 

He argued that incidents of such scale could not take place without the knowledge of the country’s security leadership. Drawing on his experience as a former Interior Cabinet Secretary, Matiang’i said the scale and apparent coordination of the attacks suggested possible involvement by state structures. He accused the government of tolerating political goonism and warned that continued violence could push Kenya towards anarchy.

“As a former Cabinet Secretary for Interior, such things do not happen without the government’s knowledge,” he said, warning that the country was entering a “final descent towards anarchy”.

Matiang’i, who has declared his intention to run for president, said the opposition would hold a retreat on 24–25 August to discuss how to respond to what he described as an increasingly hostile political environment. He said the meeting would address political violence and consider measures to protect democratic engagement.

He added that he would begin consultations with other opposition leaders in the coming days, with the aim of developing a collective response. Matiang’i also accused the government of engaging in what he called “digital terrorism”, alleging that social media accounts belonging to opposition figures were being targeted. 

He further claimed that vehicles fitted with signal jammers had been deployed at political gatherings, saying such operations would require significant resources.