‘We Are Not Looking for Jesus Christ,’ Senator Onyonka Says on Matiang’i Tainted History

History has judged Fred Matiang’i harshly in his bid to oust President William Ruto in the 2027 General Elections. Matiang’i, who last served as Cabinet Secretary for Interior, has faced criticism over his tenure, which was marred by allegations of human rights abuses and other controversies under his watch.

One of the most damaging accusations involves extrajudicial killings, particularly the discovery of multiple bodies in River Yala, with suspicions pointing to state involvement. As these allegations continue to haunt him, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, who is a leader in Matiang’i’s presidential campaign, argues that the former CS should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

“It is Matiang’i’s responsibility to be accountable, answerable, and explain to Kenyans why those things happened, if they did happen,” Onyonka told NTV’s Fixing the Nation program on Monday.

Despite the serious accusations, Onyonka believes that Matiang’i’s past should not automatically disqualify him from running for president. Drawing comparisons to other high-profile politicians, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, who faced legal issues but continued with their careers, Onyonka stressed that imperfections are common in politics.

“Show me one of the guys running for president who has a better record… or a worse one. They’re nearly all the same… thugs, crooks. I’m not justifying Fred’s behavior, but we must recognize that we’re not looking for angels,” said Onyonka. “We need to stop pretending like we’re searching for a savior.”

Onyonka further argued that while both Matiang’i and President Ruto have faced accusations, Matiang’i’s alleged misdeeds are comparatively less severe. “Take the two if you think they are both criminals and judge them fairly. If you look at the ‘crimes’ of Ruto and Matiang’i, Matiang’i is 10%,” he stated.

Another dark chapter in Matiang’i’s career is his role in the deportation of lawyer Miguna Miguna following the 2018 mock swearing-in of opposition leader Raila Odinga. The court ruled the deportation was illegal, and Onyonka believes Matiang’i owes Miguna an apology.

“Miguna deserves an explanation for how those decisions were made,” Onyonka said, reflecting on the government’s crackdown during that period, including the shutting down of TV stations that aired the mock ceremony. This incident has led many to view Matiang’i as an opponent of press freedom.

Additionally, Matiang’i faces corruption charges, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) naming him as a person of interest in the Ksh.1.5 billion Ruaraka land scandal.

Despite these controversies, Onyonka remains steadfast in his support for Matiang’i, urging voters to look at the bigger picture rather than being swayed by a flawed past. “We’re not looking for saints,” he emphasized, advocating for a more nuanced judgment of political candidates.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa