Fred Matiang'i Says He's Ready for Probe over Jacob Juma, Msando and Yala Killings
- Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i expresses worries that instances of extrajudicial atrocities won't end due to a lack of goodwill on the side of the authorities
- Matiang'i, whose tenure in the Interior Ministry courted controversy with police excesses, said the first step toward a solution was for the government to admit mistakes
- He called for a public inquest in which all the cases, including those in his stint, could be addressed and those responsible could be subjected to the instruments of justice
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i now wants all recent extrajudicial murders probed, including those that occurred during his stint at Harambee House.
Source: Getty Images
Matiang'i expressed concern over the escalation of apparent police excesses extended to civilians and prominent people deemed to be against the state.
According to Matiang'i, Kenya has come of age to entertain state brute force against civilians.
Why Fred Matiang'i is ready to testify
Seeming to clear his name of the atrocities attributed to his stint as the Interior CS, Matiang'i said he was ready to give his account of the public interest deaths that happened during his time and the ones before him.
Matiang'i served as the Interior CS for five years, between August 2017 and August 2022.
He mentioned the Kianjokoma brothers' killing in 2021, the murder of Sergeant Kenei in 2020, the killing of onetime IEBC IT director Chris Msando and Baby Pendo in 2017, and even the murder of businessman Jacob Juma in 2016, long before he (Matiang'i) became the Interior CS.
"Let us go and explain some of these things that have happened even before 2023, so that we can now move forward together as a country when all facts and everything have been heard and resolved. And we can deal with the unresolved matters that have not been conclusively investigated. Whether we start with Chris Msando, we come to Jacob Juma, we come to Kenei, we come to River Yala, and everything else," he said.
He suggested a public inquest in which he and others of interest can explain to the public what they know about the issues at hand.
Why Fred Matiang'i lectured politicians over security matters
Matiang'i detested his opponents, who often revive the matter of extrajudicial killings to get back at him to suppress his political ambitions.
"Let these things be investigated by an open public inquest, so that this we all go forward, explain and face the public on these issues, because some of these issues are raised, and we keep this merry-go-round, you know, where we are always telling stories only when they are convenient and so on, should come to an end," he said.
He called for an end to state brutality against dissent, adding that "we should never have a recurrence of this."
The former CS said he was ready to take responsibility should he be found liable for the tragic acts perpetrated by the state against civilians during his tenure as the Internal Security CS.
"We begin with the admission on the part of government, on those of us who were players in government; admitting that a mistake has happened and then asking the organs and institutions charged with the responsibility to investigate to deliver on the mandate; and those who are involved and found culpable are prosecuted," he said.
Source: Twitter
Why Matiang'i is ready to be prosecuted
In other news, Matiang'i said he is not above the law, asking those with information to furnish the authorities to help in prosecutions.
He said "some of these files are open. If anyone has additional information, it is their duty as a citizen to give it to the authorities, and prosecution commences. None of us is above the law. I have never lived above the law, even for one minute in my life."
"The most important thing is to get facts. Let us stop playing politics with security matters, so that when it is convenient for you, you say one thing, and when it is not, you say the other," Matiang'i added.
He spoke on Thursday, June 26, at the Kenyatta National Hospital, where he visited he victims of police brutality during the June 25th protests.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
