Why Matiang'i must get off his high horse

Has anyone noticed how the sunken eyes of the nation have turned to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Okeng’o Matiang’i?

In fact, the interest around him in the last four months surpasses the attention former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has enjoyed since becoming the ‘de facto’ Opposition leader.

A heartened Dr Matiang’i is now firing on all cylinders. The man from Nyamira wants to team up with Mr Gachagua and others in a surprise opposition coalition to dethrone President William Ruto.

A hard-headed leader of few smiles who uses words to a bare minimum, the former power man has been at pains to convince folks that he isn’t a ‘project’ of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He promises a 2002-like revolution.

Personally, I admire the man’s mettle and have no reason whatsoever to doubt his competence or love for Kenya. After all, he’s just walked away from a plum role at the World Bank to pursue his vision back home where he believes he can make a difference.

Jubilee Party, under the leadership of former MP Jeremiah Kioni, has declared that Matiang’i will be its presidential flagbearer. However, it’s uncertain whether the former super Cabinet Secretary will unify the larger opposition of Gachagua and his ‘cousins’ to fly its flag in 2027.

In recent weeks, the former minister has criticised the ‘excesses’ of the State. He condemned blogger Albert Ojwang’s killing and the bloodshed during the Gen Z protests. According to him, authorities are treating citizens with contempt and impunity.  

But his pronouncements have been roundly challenged. Critics claim Matiang’i has become suddenly very clever – as former President Mwai Kibaki would say. They allege that during his tenure in Mr Kenyatta’s government, worse abuses occurred with his blessings. He denies and swears that he was only doing his job.

Yet listening to the ground, there are five irreducible minimums he must meet lest his bid flop.

First, he must climb down from his high horse and publicly say ‘pole’ for the ‘ills’ during his tenure, like extrajudicial killings, deportations, crushing dissent and bullying of the media. He once said, "We will deploy fire and full force, and no one should lecture me on human rights".

Wanjiku never forgets. Matiang’i may not be directly culpable, but he must take full political responsibility for the ills.

That way, he won’t come across as hypocritical and can win against expectations the way US President Donald Trump did in 2024. Great leaders own up. In 1998, Nelson Mandela said sorry for the abuses committed by the ANC during apartheid.

Political vehicle

Secondly, Matiang’i must chart his course. Jubilee, his pet outfit, is a baggage-laden party. If he is to present himself as a symbol of a new dawn, he must craft his political vehicle.

Third, the ground is asking: Why does he hang around personalities who’re unhelpful to his bid? By associating with characters who see government as a shareholding enterprise, and who ate melons into power when we were reeling from a bungled election in 2008, he has punctured his bid.

The fourth one is tricky. What new ideas does he come with? His delay in explaining his agenda is bad optics. What’s his plan for the economy, healthcare and jobs?

On wealth, it’s only in Africa where individuals seek high office but can’t disclose their worth. His refusal to declare his wealth because "it is not for public consumption" can’t fly.

Didn’t he serve in the previous administration, where Uhuru offered to go through a lifestyle audit? His caginess early in the day suggests he can’t be trusted to fight graft.

Finally, Matiang’i must know that the presidency doesn’t fall from the skies. He must first build a solid base in Gusiiland and his larger Nyanza backyard, where he has presidential aspirant David Maraga to contend with. He needs substantial numbers of his own to survive.

Should he fail to meet these bare minimums, he will be a flower girl during Dr Ruto’s second crowning in 2027. He won’t believe it.

The writer is a communications practitioner. X:@markoloo