Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.
Dr Fred Matiang’i, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary whose tenure was marred by extrajudicial killings, including the grim discovery of bodies dumped in the River Yala, has joined other leaders in condemning the macabre killing of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang by the police.
In a statement, Dr Matiang’i described the killing as “cold-hearted” and a “heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need for reform in our criminal justice system.”
Dr Matiang’i, who also deported lawyer Miguna Miguna in 2018 against court orders, said no accused person deserves to be denied due process.
“Taking a citizen’s life is not only unjust, it is a fundamental violation of human rights. Albert was a young man full of promise, a beacon of hope for his family and the pride of his parents,” said Dr Matiang’i.
He said the manner in which the teacher was killed at a police station has shocked the conscience of the nation. He demanded that all the officers involved be held accountable.
“We must raise our voices not just for Albert, but for every young life, especially among the Gen Z that has been lost to extrajudicial killings in recent times. Enough is enough. Everyone involved, at whichever level, must be held to account. Justice must be done. And justice must be seen to be done,” he said
A photo of Voi-based teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.
When President Ruto assumed office in September 2022, he accused the administration of his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, of extra-judicial killings.
In an interview on January 4, 2023, Dr Ruto revealed that he had fired the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss, George Kinoti.
“Thirty bodies in Yala, 17 in Garissa…there was a container here at Nairobi Area where people were being slaughtered, in a police station…how did we end up there? What kind of rogue institution was that? And that is why I fired that Kinoti man, because it is not right. There will be responsibility,” said the President.
In October 2022, immediately after Dr Ruto assumed office, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Special Service Unit (SSU) was disbanded following a directive from the then-acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Noor Gabow.
“There will be no extrajudicial killings in Kenya under my administration. I have agreed with the IG and other police bosses that police will operate within the law,” Dr Ruto promised then.
In March 2023, Dr Matiang’i’s name was mentioned on the floor of the National Assembly when MPs discussed the need to open a probe over the bodies that were found in River Yala.
During the session, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah said individuals who were in charge of the security docket when the bodies were found in River Yala must be brought to account.
“Whether it was Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti, whether it was Fred Matiang’i who was the minister in charge of Interior or whether it was the ultimate authority where the buck stops, the office of the President, people must be held to account for the extra-judicial killings in Kenya,” Mr Ichung’wah said then.
He went on: “I want to tell DCI Amin Mohamed not to fear anybody. Those who sanctioned and commissioned the extra-judicial killings of very many innocent Kenyans must answer. These things keep on repeating themselves because no action is taken against those responsible.”
The sitting had also supported a petition by Kituo Cha Sheria that called for the formation of a commission of inquiry to investigate cases of enforced disappearances in the country.
The organisation submitted that it had worked closely with victims of the extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances since 2007 and documented cases of 1,201 killings and 272 disappearances.
Dr Matiang’i, who has declared interest in running for president in the forthcoming elections, has found himself fending off criticisms around human rights violations, especially those that happened under his watch as the custodian of homeland security in the Kenyatta administration.
