Matiang'i: I was considered for Uhuru’s successor role, but I wasn’t interested
Presidential hopeful Dr Fred Matiang'i
Presidential hopeful Dr Fred Matiang’i on Monday issued a stern warning to President William Ruto’s government and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over the integrity of the 2027 General Election.
“We are not begging the government or the IEBC to stick to the rule of law. We cannot conduct an election outside the Constitution and the law. That is not negotiable,” Dr Matiang’i said during an interview on NTV.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary, who served under President Uhuru Kenyatta between 2013 and 2022 when Dr Ruto was Deputy President, warned that any attempt to subvert the law would be met with equal political force.
A tough-talking Matiang’i questioned the commitment of state institutions to constitutionalism, asking: “If the government and institutions won’t adhere to the rule of law, who else should?”
He said the conduct of the government and the IEBC during the November 27 by-elections painted a grim picture for the country’s democratic future.
Former President and Jubilee Party leader Uhuru Kenyatta (left) with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i during Jubilee Party Special National Delegates Conference at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on September 26, 2025.
He described the by-elections as a sham, claiming politicians openly sponsored gangs to unleash violence on voters while police officers watched passively.
“Mbeere North and Malava constituencies recorded unmatched impunity where well-known politicians and government officials, flanked by security officers, ran amok engaging in all manner of electoral malpractices,” he claimed.
According to Dr Matiang’i, the elections were characterised by blatant abuse of power, misuse of state resources, bribery, tokenism and what he termed a stage-managed collapse of security.
“For that, the IEBC gets a C-minus rating from me,” he said.
He warned that if such conduct persisted into the 2027 General Election, the country would be in serious trouble.
“If Mbeere North and Malava are the barometers, then we have a big issue ahead,,” he cautioned.
Dr Matiang’i noted that the only time the IEBC appeared to act responsibly was during the Kasipul by-election, where two candidates were fined Sh1 million each over violence.
He also criticised security agencies for failing to act against armed gangs.
“Police cannot tell us they do not know goons. You cannot claim not to recognise people walking around with arrows and pangas in broad daylight. There is no accountability,” he said.
Former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i at a past event.
On his presidential ambitions, Dr Matiang’i said his decision to run was driven by public demand.
He revealed that although there had been discussions about him succeeding President Kenyatta in 2022, he was not interested at the time, and the Jubilee Party ultimately supported Raila Odinga.
“I am now resolved to respond to public interest. I bring 10 years of government experience,” he said.
He insisted that Kenyans were united in their desire for regime change.
“Kenyans are unanimous about the need for change, and I am the difference they are yearning for,” he said.
Dr Matiang’i urged patience as opposition leaders work towards fielding a single candidate.
“United opposition is a process, a journey with challenges. By 2027 we will be united, cohesive, and grounded. It is Kenyans telling us to come together to defeat the lies and deceit of this over-promising government,” he said.
He dismissed claims of opposition disunity, saying consensus-building was neither instant nor easy.
“This is not instant coffee. It takes time—negotiations, persuasion, and bonding. We are many houses in one big house, and eventually we will converge,” he said.
He accused the government of prioritising propaganda over addressing real issues, including corruption.
“This government cannot fight corruption because it is busy recruiting friends among the corrupt,” he said, adding that corruption cases were often dropped for political convenience.
Former Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi.
“We don’t need new laws, institutions, or task forces. We only need political will. Let existing institutions work, and corruption will be defeated,” he said.
Dr Matiang’i concluded by accusing President Ruto of losing focus and sincerity in the fight against corruption, blaming political interference for undermining professional institutions.
“What we have now are alcoholics preaching sobriety and the corrupt telling us to stop being corrupt,” he said.
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