A very mischievous and seemingly sponsored idle cabal of members of the National Assembly, led by Mohamed Ali of Nyali, has embarked on a mission to collect signatures from fellow legislators aimed at impeaching Interior and National Co-ordination CS Fred Matiang'i. That move is as curious as it is mind-boggling.
It is the constitutional provision for lawmakers – even if for rent-seeking purposes – to impeach a Cabinet minister, deputy president and president who they find fault with on matters relating to abuse of office, breach of law, incompetence, integrity and national security.
However, it is the manner in which the clique coalescing around Ali is approaching this matter that is raising eyebrows. Their approach is not only naive, pedestrian and misguided but couched in hypocrisy and witch-hunt.
Since 2013 when he joined the Cabinet, Matiang'i has served in various ministries with a distinct mark of commitment, service delivery and loyalty. He has in the ministries of Information, Communications and Technology, Lands, Education and now Interior.
In all these dockets, Matiang'i has registered exemplary performance to the satisfaction of Kenyans who continue to recognise and applaud his determination and dedication to duty. If anything, he was in 2018 accorded more power by his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, to supervise activities across other ministries, and was branded by both haters and admirers as the 'Super Minister'.
This was the genesis of the current attacks against him engineered by those who are uncomfortable with his growing influence nationally. It is therefore the height of mischief and folly for some known Trojan horses in a political bandwagon to masquerade as defenders of justice and the rule of law.
Kisiis and other well-meaning Kenyans are watching the onslaught against Matiang'i with keen interest. We shall soon pronounce ourselves on this matter through all the social and political organs of the Abagusii.
For now, let it be known that ever since Simeon Nyachae quit politics over a decade ago, Matiang'i has emerged as the most visible and trusted leader among the Abagusii to champion the community's interests. He is our trusted son and undisputed leader whom we cherish and respect in equal measure.
We will not sit back and watch some charlatans throw mud at our beloved son. We are obliged to defend him at all costs and levels. The persons and forces using idle lawmakers to tarnish Matiang'i's name and public image are known to us and we shall smoke them out at the right time.
Kenya has very many social and economic challenges at the moment. Matang'i is not one of them. In fact, he is among the few dedicated state officers who are diligently helping the President to address these challenges.
Right from the coronavirus pandemic and healthcare in general to insecurity, unemployment, poverty, infrastructure, ballooning public debt, sports and technological advancement, Kenya has serious hurdles that reasonable and patriotic lawmakers can help alleviate. Not fighting Matiang'i.
The people fighting Matiang'i because of their personal ambitions in the 2022 general election are mistaken. We are proud of him and we shall stand by him.
What is more, we shall support him in whatever position he chooses to serve the nation in future. We shall not let him be publicly devoured by insatiable power-grabbers.
