Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has come out strongly in defense of ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing the government of persecuting him for speaking out against alleged large-scale theft of public resources.
Speaking during a meeting with opposition leaders on Tuesday, Matiang’i said Gachagua was being unfairly targeted despite backing his claims with reports from two international publications. He argued that the silence from authorities on sensitive allegations, including the reported facilitation of arms sales to neighboring Sudan, raised serious concerns.
“What is happening here is looting, not corruption. Massive looting is taking place, and when people like Rigathi point it out, they receive arrest threats,” Matiang’i said. He accused the government of treating Kenyans as “fools” while dismissing concerns about the alleged theft of public funds.
Matiang’i further warned that unchecked plunder could destroy the country’s economy. “Some countries can survive corruption, but no nation can withstand looting. Looting erodes everything,” he stated, urging Kenyans to resist and speak out despite threats of arrest.
Gachagua, who is expected to return to Kenya on Thursday, August 21, cut short his trip to the United States after facing mounting pressure over his explosive remarks. While abroad, he accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of embezzling state resources and claimed President William Ruto had held a secret meeting with three Al Shabaab militants in Mandera allegations that drew immediate backlash.
Following his remarks, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen ordered Gachagua to record a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) upon his return. Gachagua, however, has dismissed the summons, vowing not to comply.
The embattled former deputy president says he is instead focusing on preparing for the November 27 by-elections, where he is expected to play an active political role. His anticipated arrival on Thursday is likely to ignite fresh political drama, with his allies warning of state intimidation and government officials pushing for accountability over his claims.
As tensions rise, Matiang’i’s fiery defense underscores growing divisions in the political landscape, with the debate over corruption versus looting threatening to dominate Kenya’s charged political climate.
