Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has hit out at leaders branding him as former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s political project, accusing them of hypocrisy and desperation. Speaking on Spice FM on Wednesday, Matiang’i said it was dishonest for politicians to link him to Uhuru while at the same time seeking the former Head of State’s support for their own political ambitions.
“As for whether I’m someone’s project, I cannot rewrite history. I served as a Cabinet Minister under President Uhuru Kenyatta,” Matiang’i stated. “People will say I’m Uhuru’s project, yet they themselves are looking for the same Uhuru said to talk to.”
Matiang’i criticised what he termed as political opportunism, noting that some leaders use Uhuru’s name to gain publicity while condemning others associated with him. He cited a recent event at State House where Uhuru attended talks on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of the East African Community peace efforts.
“I saw when President Uhuru Kenyatta went to State House to attend discussions on DRC. State House dropped everything and filled social media with pictures of every gesture, turn, and nuance — everything Uhuru — in some very desperado approach,” he remarked.
Defending his ties with the former President, Matiang’i described Uhuru as a successful leader whose legacy speaks for itself. “In any case, Uhuru was a successful President. Who wouldn’t want to be associated with a successful president?” he posed.
The former CS insisted that his decision to seek the presidency was independent and not influenced by Uhuru. “I am not running for President because Uhuru told me. I took a decision,” he clarified.
Matiang’i further questioned why he is being singled out among other ex-Cabinet members with political ambitions. “There could be three or four other people in his Cabinet, like Eugene Wamalwa, who are interested in the presidency. So why am I his project and not Wamalwa?” he asked.
