Kenyans spent the entire Tuesday, November 15, strongly criticising the incumbent Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Interior, Kithure Kindiki, over his cool demeanour compared to his predecessors.
Fed up with the spike of insecurity cases across the country, many questioned the professor's capability to pacify the menace and bring the offenders to book.
Kindiki, skilled in International Law owing to his academic and professional successs, came to the limelight after his sterling representation of President William Ruto at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2013.
The Interior CS, who served as Senator for Tharaka Nithi before the 2022 General Election, was later elevated to the interior docket in the new administration, a move that affirmed the head of state's trust and confidence in his ability to steer the country forward.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Security expert, George Msamali, defended the CS's approach to addressing insecurity, asking critics not to be carried away by the professor's smooth outlier.
"Kenyans going after Prof. Kindiki for his soft-spoken nature are just having fun, but let us focus on his actions which might surprise most of us.
"His qualifications and experience predict that he will be impactful in restoring security in the country," Msamali opined.
All eyes are now on the intellectual CS, and judging by the stern stands and actions of those who reigned before him, Kindiki has big shoes to fill.
Below are the prominent politicians who served in the Interior Ministry.
Fred Matiang'i
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed then Education CS, Fred Matiang'i, to the Interior Ministry following the death of Major General Joseph Nkaissery in 2017.
As Interior Security, Matiang'i worked with chiefs from the grassroots level to those at the apex of national security to ensure his resolve and agenda were achieved.
His stern reforms aimed at countering insecurity and terrorism threats. He also initiated key reforms, including hiring 100,000 police officers and increasing the ratio of cops to Kenyans from 1:900 to 1:600.
During his reign, Matiang'i also imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot and Baringo counties to curb insecurity and cattle rustling.
While serving as Education CS, he dismantled cartels in the education ministry and consequently reduced examination cheating.
Within his first days in office, Matiang'i sent home officials from the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and restructured the security procedures to reduce exam leakages.
In his capacity as ICT CS, he oversaw the transition of the analogue to digital migration for TV and radio broadcasting, despite opposition from major stakeholders.
Major-General (Rtd) Joseph Kasaine Ole Nkaissery
The late Major-General (Rtd) Joseph Kasaine Ole Nkaissery served as the Interior CS, a role he assumed in 2014 as Joseph Ole Lenku's replacement.
Nkaissery challenged the Kenya Police Service leadership to deal firmly with integrity problems that faced the service and regain public trust.
In his previous tenure as Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Defence, Kenya signed an agreement with Somalia’s defence ministry in the fight against Al-Shabaab.
In 2011 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) invaded Somalia and launched 'Operation Linda Nchi'.
Joseph Ole Lenku
Joseph Ole Lenku was CS for Interior from 2013 to 2014. He, however, became a casualty of the rising insecurity in the country and was fired after 20 months in office.
His term was coupled with intense public outcry over security lapses linked to terror attacks, including the Westgate Mall attack and the Kapedo attack in which at least 19 police officers were killed.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Kajiado Central MP, Major General (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery, to curb insecurity and restore trust in the public.
John Michuki
The late John Michuki was widely acknowledged as among the best-performing ministers in the late President Mwai Kibaki's government.
Michuki had a reputation for being "ruthless" in ensuring the efficient implementation of policies and procedures.
He first served as Transport Minister in 2003, where he is credited for transforming the industry by compelling all public service vehicles to strictly adhere to traffic rules and regulations.
Among the rules were wearing safety belts and the introduction of speed governors in what was commonly known as 'Michuki Rules'.
In 2005, Kibaki appointed him Minister for Internal Security. His contentious ‘shoot-to-kill’ order to police officers attracted condemnation from Human Rights groups that cited contravention of both the Police Act and general Human Rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Michuki is remembered for his infamous quote, 'If you rattle a snake, be prepared to be bitten by it'.
In 2008 after the post-election violence, he was named Minister for Roads and Public Work and later served as the Minister for Environment and National Resources until his demise on February 21, 2012.
