Interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i is a man whose scorecard is no doubt impressive among many Kenyans. Despite the recent fake gold scam associations, Matiang’is records and achievements are still above the bar.
He certainly needs no introduction. The powerful CS pulls no punches as he goes about executing his mandate. Many Kenyans are now banking on a sure win for any candidate who picks Matiang’i as their running mate. Others have also advised the no-nonsense minister to try his luck in the top seat assuring him full support.
However, known to be religious, the straight-shooting CS is said to have sworn to continue doing his ministerial mandate without necessarily engaging in politics.
Elsewhere during an interactive session on an online media platform, a participant drew similarities between Matiang’i and John Michuki, the late tough-talking Transport minister of the famous Michuki Rules.
Demanding he runs for president in 2022, the participant asked if the CS was contemplating doing so. Matiang’i replied: “No one knows what future God has planned for. As the Holy Scripture says, ‘we leave the future to the Lord”.
In all fairness, Matangi easily compares with the Omugusii patriarch in former powerful Chief Secretary Simon Nyachae, who actually is the Interior CS’s mentor. Matiang’i was for a long time the former Ford People leader’s personal assistant.
It has widely been believed that it was Nyachae who lobbied to Uhuru Kenyatta to appoint Matiang’i to the cabinet. What’s more, Matiang’i incidentally happens to have followed Nyachae’s footprints, recently being elevated to the equivalent of chief minister if not the prime minister.
His star soared when as Education CS, he introduced a raft of drastic reforms in a sector then weighed down by all manner of impropriety.
The legislators Ben Momanyi of Borabu, Joash Nyamoko, North Mugirango, Alpha Miruka, Bomachoge Chache, Samwel Arama, Nakuru West, Vincent Kemosi, West Mugirango and Jerusa Momanyi, Nyamira woman rep said Kisiis are tired of being used by other communities to propel their own to top leadership positions only to later dump them.
Vowing never to be used as a rubber stamp in endorsing others for the presidency, the lawmakers said they would be backing one of their own for the top seat come 2022.
At a fundraiser in West Mugirango sub-county, they charged that the community had the numbers and leaders with requisite credentials to run this country.
Arama singled out the Interior CS whom he said had what it takes to be the next president of Kenya.
Urging other communities who had previously benefited from the support of the Kisii to reciprocate by backing Matiang’i, the Nakuru West MP declared they have endorsed Matiang’i as their 2022 flagbearer and that there is no turning back.
According to Arama, consultations on a Matiang’i candidature were still ongoing, and it was a matter of time before they set off for the big journey to State House.
Political leaders from the Gusii region have faulted the Jubilee administration for giving them a raw deal during government appointments notwithstanding the community’s overwhelming support in the last general election.
Which begs question: Will Matiang’i – or a Kisii for that matter – be on the presidential ballot in 2022?
From his pronouncements, Matiang’i cautiously does not want to engage in politics at least for now. Those who know him well say entering the murky waters that is the 2022 succession fray would easily provide ammunition to his detractors to attack him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqMCqbeuIPo
It is this same reason that the DP William Ruto’s brigade is turning its guns on Matiang’i because the group believes that if given the chance, Matiang’i is likely to floor them in 2022.