Major Setback for Matiang’i in Quest For Presidency
It looks like former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i may not be in the running for the 2027 presidential race. This comes after Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo threatened to take legal action against him.
On Thursday, July 3, the MP accused Matiang’i of being behind a wave of terror that resulted in the discovery of numerous tortured bodies in River Yala between 2021 and 2022, declaring him unfit for the presidency.
In a press release, the MP announced his intention to pursue legal action to hold Matiang’i personally responsible for these extrajudicial killings.
”Being an MP for Gem Constituency, I have been deeply perturbed by the arrogance and contempt with which the former Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i treated the questions in his role as CS in the dumping of bodies into River Yala in Gem Constituency in the run up to the 2022 General Elections,” the statement read in part.
”Matiang’i was the CS in charge of internal security, and cannot therefore escape accountability. The families of all those who were brutally murdered and dumped in River Yala are yet to get justice as he is walking free without any answer to these very chilling occurrences that took place under his watch,” the statement continued.
The River Yala tragedy came to light between July 2021 and January 2022, when human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, reported the recovery of over 400 bodies that bore signs of torture, strangulation, and gunshot wounds.
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Odhiambo pointed out that since Matiang’i was the Interior Cabinet Secretary at the time and no arrests have been made yet, it reflects poorly on his competence. He argues that Matiang’i’s inaction or inability to provide an explanation amounts to criminal negligence.
The MP has already disclosed that there are plans in motion, including a petition aimed at preventing Matiang’i from running in the 2027 general election.
Additionally, the lawmaker is looking into other ways to hold him accountable, such as summoning him to Parliament and advocating for a public inquiry.
“Further, we are considering putting pressure on the office of the DPP to institute mass murder charges against Matiang’i and all those who worked with him during that particular period, including the members of the SSU police unit that was disbanded by President William Ruto,” the statement by the MP continued.
Matiang’i, who recently expressed his ambition to run for the country’s top position, firmly denied any allegations against him. In a recent interview on Citizen TV, he called for a public inquiry and emphasized that investigations were still underway when he stepped down from his role.
“I didn’t leave with the file. It was a police matter. I’m ready to testify before a judge and say what I know,” he said.
Major Setback for Matiang’i in Quest For Presidency
