Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has cut the figure of a no-nosense public servant who is performance oriented. His take on Service delivery to the Kenyan people has earned him admiration from a number of Kenyans who have even joined calls to have him run for the Presidency.
Elsewhere, in his Kisii backyard, calls are being made for him to run for Governorship. This is a clear indication that the CS is already a darling of many people back home and with that, his Political star is certainly meant to shine.
Not so long ago, a journalist aked the CS to consider offering his candidature for the top seat, if not turning out as someone’s running mate.
Matiang’i thundered he had no idea “where this madness is coming from”.
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 a 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’”.
It will also be remembered that Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria recently declared that he will run for Presidency and will take CS Matiang’i as his running mate.
In all fairness, Matiang’i 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 prime minister.
Since Nyachae’s exit from the political scene, the Kisii community has only had Matiang’i to fly their ‘flag’ at the top leadership level. His star soared when as Education CS, Matiang’i introduced a raft of drastic reforms in a sector then weighed down by all manner of impropriety.
His impromptu stopovers at learning institutions kept school heads on their toes, not knowing when and where the CS would strike next. Together with George Magoha then at the helm of the Kenya National Examinations Council, Matiang’i reined in on examination cheats. Magoha is now Education CS.
Recently, six MPs from the Kisii community declared that they would not allow leaders from other regions to use the community as a ladder to ascend to the presidency.
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.
With the recent declaration by the Gusii leaders, it so seems like Matiang’i is the next big thing after Nyachae from the region.
Whether he will be on the ballot or not come 2022 is a matter to be seen as the race for Statehouse takes shape.
Do You Think Fred Matiang’i can make a Good President For Kenya? Will You Vote Him in Should he Contest?