Why Ruto wants Matiangi's rising stature in Nyanza clipped

A meeting of professionals from the Gusii region was called at a Nairobi hotel to rally the community behind President William Ruto and frustrate efforts by former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i who, in May, declared interest in the presidency at 2027 General Election.

The Standard has also learnt that government allied politicians and senior government officials led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki have been touring the Nyanza region to stave off political threats emanating from Matiang’i, Uhuru era Mr Fix it.

The Nairobi meeting was called by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, where attendance was mandatory. The CS, in a no-holds-barred approach, impressed upon attendees why it was paramount to use all available resources to support the re-election of President William Ruto. 

Those in attendance were gravely warned of unspecified consequences if they supported Matiang’i- financially or in kind. The CS told the civil servants, in no uncertain terms, that their jobs were at stake if they changed tune and attempted to support the former CS.

The meeting did not lack divergent voices. First term Member of Parliament for Nyaribari Masaba Daniel Ogwoka Manduku argued against the push saying that the Gusii community had sworn to stand with Matiang’i. He was, however, told off by the senior civil servants in attendance. 

“We all wanted to express our sincere position on the matter but our bosses were there. We didn’t want to cross swords with them,” a senior civil servant who attended the extravagant dinner at a city hotel told The Standard. 

The meeting is one aspect of what the Kenya Kwanza government is doing to destabilize our base,” says Nyambega Gisesa, the secretary general of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Matiang’i ‘s political vehicle. “They have also upped their empowerment meetings in Kisii and Nyamira. They are now doing it in every ward. Farouk [Kibet] is a permanent fixture in Kisii and Nyamira. The Deputy President spends all his free time in Kisii. What time does he work for Kenyans?” posed Gisesa. 

In the 2022 presidential election Ruto received 135,140 votes from Kisii County, 33.22 per cent of the total votes. 

The figures based on the official results Form 34B of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission reveal that in Nyamira County, Ruto garnered 63,645 votes, which was 37.28 per cent of the votes cast. 

In the last three months, DP Kindiki and President Ruto’s personal assistant Farouk Kibet have been actively involved in various events in Kisii and Nyamira counties. They have run economic empowerment programs and funds drives in the region. The meetings are a display of State largesse and financial might.  

Witnesses at the events recount seeing between eight and 11 helicopters and up to 60 fuel-guzzling luxury off-road vehicles at each event.

 “It is a show of might and a waste of taxpayers’ money. County commissioners, their deputies and assistants, police bosses, and their entire brigade all stop what they are doing to mobilise wananchi to attend the events. The attendees are paid Sh1,000 per person,” says Nyambega, adding that each meeting can attract up to 5,000 people.

“It’s just the same people who are mobilised by the chiefs and their assistants who attend to cheer and clap and they get paid.” 

On May 22, Kindiki presided over an economic empowerment event at Etago, South Mugirango, Kisii County. Attendees included MPs Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Daniel Manduku (Nyaribari Masaba), Women Rep Dorice Donya and others. Farouk was present. 

A week later, on May 29, an economic empowerment program was held in Nyaribari Chache, Kisii County, presided over by Kindiki and Kibet. Some ODM leaders attended the event. 

On June 19, a fundraiser in Kijauri, Nyamira was attended by Kindiki, Kibet, Woman Rep Jerusha Momanyi, and at least 30 MPs allied to the ruling coalition, including National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro. Education CS Ogamba and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja were in attendance.  

On July 25, top Kenya Kwanza leadership was at a fundraiser for women and youth groups at Nyamache High School, Kisii. Kindiki, Kibet, Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula graced the event.

Kisii Woman Rep Donya and Ruth Odinga were involved in organising the events.

“As we speak, they have now gone to half of the wards in Kisii and Nyamira, splashing money and trying to sway voters,” says Nyambega.

Kisii County has 45 wards, while Nyamira has 20 wards.   

No public money was used

Ogamba has strongly denied that taxpayers money was used in the Gusii community meeting at a Nairobi hotel last month.

“Some things don’t make sense. How can someone even think of such tall tales?  Its true professionals from the Gusii community met. But the meeting was about development for the community.  There is nothing wrong with that,” Ogamba said in response to our questions. 

He denied threatening any of the individuals who attended the meeting saying that did not arise

“How can I threaten to fire a civil servant? I am a lawyer.  There is procedure. You can’t threaten someone because of his or her political beliefs. These were top professionals from our community. Because of political reasons someone wants to say they can’t afford dinner and I have to buy them dinner? These are serious men and women. And I don’t see anything wrong when prominent sons and daughters of Gusii come together to give back to the community. Why are people focused on negativity all the time? People should have positive vibes. When President Ruto’s government decreased university fees by between 15 to 30 per cent why aren’t people talking about it?” 

He further insists that the meeting did not discuss ways to politically manage Matiang’i.

“We can’t meet to discuss him. Who is he? He is just any other Kenyan. If he wants to join his brothers and sisters in giving back to the community, he is welcome. We didn’t discuss him. Which position is he running for? Has he even declared? We meet for development issues. People should stop playing politics all the time,” said Ogamba.