Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of failing to address key national concerns, including rising cases of abductions, the resurgence of criminal enterprises, and widespread leadership failures.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM on Wednesday, Matiang’i said the government had lost control of critical governance and security matters, warning that Kenya’s foreign policy was also deteriorating.
He cited recent incidents in which Kenyan citizens had been abducted in neighbouring countries, the latest case involving activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were reportedly seized in Kampala, Uganda.
Matiang’i also expressed his disappointment at the government's failure to respond effectively to reports of Kenyan citizens being abducted abroad, accusing officials of complacency.
“It’s shameful what’s happening in our country, citizens like Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo arrested by a neighbouring government, while our officials, including the Foreign Affairs Minister, can’t even say where they are. This reflects deeper issues we must address,” Matiang'i remarked.
When pressed on his decision to criticise abductions despite similar cases being reported during his tenure at the Interior Ministry, Matiang’i said every government must take responsibility for ongoing injustices.
“On the issue of River Yala, where lives have been lost and information is unclear, it’s the government’s duty to conclude investigations and follow the evidence wherever it leads. If it points to the Interior Minister, then so be it, let the law take its course,” he said.
Graft and Wash Wash
The former CS accused the current administration of hypocrisy and double standards in fighting corruption, pointing out that the failure to uphold accountability had allowed criminal networks and 'wash wash' money laundering schemes to thrive unchecked.
Further, the former CS expressed concern that Kenya remains listed among high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering and terrorism financing, saying this was a result of weak enforcement and poor oversight by relevant agencies.
Education
Turning to education, Matiang’i criticised the government for neglecting universities and schools, leaving thousands of students uncertain about their future due to the ongoing lecturers’ strike, which has lasted more than 40 days. He said the education sector had regressed under poor management, reversing reforms implemented during his tenure as Education CS.
“The progress we made at Jogoo House has been undone,” he said. “We had addressed exam cheating, restored discipline, and improved standards. Now, we are back to where we started, with corruption and disorganisation taking root once again.”
Gun Ownership
Matiang’i also warned of deteriorating gun control measures, saying the government’s reluctance to enforce mental assessments before issuing firearm licenses had led to an increase in violent crimes, homicides, and suicides.
He said recent trends showed a worrying rise in cases involving licensed gun holders.
