Jubilee presidential hopeful Fred Matiang'i at a past party event. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has accused President William Ruto and his administration of using violence as a political tool, alleging that the President was aware of plans to mobilise goons ahead of a political rally in Homa Bay.
Addressing reporters on Monday, Matiang’i said violence reported in different parts of the country over the weekend pointed to a coordinated pattern that could not have occurred without the knowledge of the security leadership.
“It is now abundantly clear that the President and his government have chosen violence as a weapon for political survival and engagement,” Matiang’i said.
Matiang'i, who is also a presidential aspirant, cited the stoning of two vehicles belonging to his team in Mulot, attacks targeting opposition leaders in Nakuru and incidents reported in Salgaa before the clashes witnessed in Homa Bay on Sunday.
At the same time, he questioned whether security agencies and the President were aware of the incidents, arguing that such events could not have occurred without the government’s knowledge.
“As a former Cabinet Secretary for Interior, such things do not happen without the government’s knowledge,” he said, describing the incidents as “crime at industrial scale”.