Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has dismissed claims
that he is a political project of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing
some leaders of hypocrisy for seeking Uhuru’s backing while branding others as
his allies.
Speaking on Wednesday, Matiang’i said it was dishonest for
politicians to label him “Uhuru’s project” while at the same time courting the
former Head of State for political support.
“As for whether I’m someone’s project, I cannot rewrite history. I served as
a Cabinet Minister under President Uhuru Kenyatta,” he said on Spice FM.
“As to whether or not that makes me his project, honestly, it’s just
splitting hairs at the end of the day. People will say I’m Uhuru’s project, yet
they themselves are looking for the same Uhuru said to talk to.”
The former Cabinet Secretary criticised what he termed as desperation by
some political figures to use Uhuru’s name for publicity.
He cited a recent event at the State House where the former President attended
discussions on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of East African
Community peace efforts.
“I saw when President Uhuru Kenyatta went to State House to attend discussions
on DRC on behalf of the East African Community. State House dropped everything
they were doing that day and filled social media with pictures of every
gesture, turn, and nuance — everything Uhuru — in some very desperado approach.
That is the same Uhuru they are talking about,” Matiang’i said.
He defended his association with the former President, describing Uhuru as a
successful leader whose record speaks for itself.
“In any case, Uhuru was a successful President. Who wouldn’t want to be
associated with a successful president?” Matiang’i posed.
He dismissed the notion that his presidential ambitions were influenced by
Uhuru, insisting his decision to vie for the top seat was independent.
“I am not running for President because Uhuru told me. I took a decision,”
he clarified.
Matiang’i also questioned why he is being singled out among other former
Cabinet colleagues with political ambitions.
“There could be three or four other people in his Cabinet, like Eugene
Wamalwa and m,e who are interested in the presidency. So why am I his project
and not Wamalwa? He was Minister for Defence, and I was Minister for Interior,”
he said.
The former CS’s remarks come amid growing speculation about his political
plans ahead of the 2027 elections.
Matiang’i has recently re-emerged in the public sphere, returning to active
politics and potential alliances with the United Opposition outfit.
The most recent activity was attending the Jubilee National Delegates Convention
alongside Uhuru, after months of speculation on which party he would use to
seek the presidency in the 2027 elections.
