“We Are Walking Into a Crisis” — Matiang’i Attacks Government Over Economy and Security
Politics Updated: 20 May 2026 17:08 EAT
Jubilee presidential flag bearer Fred Matiang'i addressing Media today
Fred Matiang'i on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on President William Ruto’s administration, warning that Kenya was heading toward a serious national crisis because of what he termed as incompetence, poor governance and over-taxation.
Speaking during public engagements on the state of the economy and the proposed Finance Bill 2026, Matiang’i said the country’s leadership had failed to focus on the real struggles facing ordinary citizens.
“We are in a crisis, and let me be very frank about this. As someone who has had the privilege and the blessing of working in the public sector before and serving our country, I understand government very well,” Matiang’i said.
“I can tell Kenyans very sincerely: we are walking down to a crisis.”
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary said the country’s problems were being worsened by poor management and lack of meaningful engagement between leaders and citizens.
“This is not just because we have an incompetent government, but because, in addition to that incompetence, we have mismanaged the country and every avenue of engagement in a spectacular and historic manner,” he said.
Matiang’i accused leaders of ignoring pressing economic and social concerns affecting millions of Kenyans while engaging in what he termed as irrelevant political debates.
“I would like to urge our leaders to take time now to address the challenges we face, or at least show a sense of understanding and respect for the public by attempting a conversation on the challenges that we face—not on the kind of garbage that you keep spilling every day,” he said.
The Jubilee presidential flag bearer said Kenyans across the country were struggling with high living costs, unemployment and unaffordable education.
“There isn't a part of this country I’ve gone to where you do not meet people suffering—young men and women who have deferred their university learning programs because they cannot raise fees,” Matiang’i stated.
“Kids who cannot go to secondary school because the fees are unaffordable. Levies have been introduced that the government is not even in control of and doesn’t even know.”
Matiang’i also criticised what he termed as the politicisation of national security matters, warning that the trend could undermine public trust in state institutions.
“Democracy is government by consultation and government by consensus as you go along,” he said.
“The ‘juvenile hubris’ that you are witnessing is the worst mistake you can make as a government: to politicize national security issues.”
The former CS challenged the government to prosecute suspects through the legal system rather than relying on political statements.
“I’m asking the government, if you want to prove us wrong, arrest those who are involved and present them before a court of law. That is how you prove that you are serious,” he stated.
Matiang’i further accused the administration of constantly shifting blame instead of taking responsibility for governance failures.
“Someone should give a word to this government for the record; they belong in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the government that has generated the most excuses to govern,” he said.
“It is always someone else to blame. Failure to manage the country is a danger.”
The Jubilee politician also intensified opposition to the proposed Finance Bill 2026, calling on Kenyans to reject it.
“Reject Finance Bill 2026. The cost of living is already unbearable for Kenyan workers. It is slavery,” Matiang’i declared.
“Workers are paying every day through an over-taxation program.”
He argued that the government was attempting to solve financial challenges by increasing taxes instead of addressing corruption and wastage.
“They are trying to look for money to plug the holes through over-taxation. That is the truth,” he said.
“Whether you intimidate leaders of the transport sector to get them off the street for a day or two, the problem does not go away.”
Matiang’i also alleged that intimidation and abductions of critics were pushing the country into instability.
“There’s a problem when you bribe, intimidate, or abduct people. You are moving all of us into a crisis,” he said.
“You think it is going to be fashionable, but it doesn’t make sense.”
The former minister further accused the government of attempting to divide Kenyans along ethnic lines for political gain.
“You are trying to profile one community,” he said.
“We are not dumb. We can see where it is headed.”
Matiang’i also criticised what he described as hostility toward retired leaders, saying laws governing retired presidents should be respected.
“Regarding retired presidents around the world: the level of pettiness we see from this administration is shocking,” he stated.
“If you cannot manage a retired president honestly—which is the easiest thing because there is an Act that says what a retired president is entitled to—what can you do?”
The Jubilee flag bearer maintained that Kenya deserved better leadership and governance.
“Kenya deserves better. We have been independent for many years and we are respected around the world and in the region,” Matiang’i said.
“We would like to change this administration because Kenyans deserve better leadership.”
On the energy sector, Matiang’i promised transparency and accountability if his side forms government in future.
“We would introduce transparency and manage the energy sector differently,” he said.
“We will not engage in conflicts of interest.”
He further stated that leaders involved in oil business dealings could not effectively regulate the sector.
“We will not lead a government where we ourselves are doing business in the oil sector, because in doing so, we will not be able to regulate and manage the sector effectively,” he stated.
Matiang’i also pledged accountability in the use of public funds collected through government levies.
“If we spend money from the Petroleum Development Levy or the Road Maintenance Levy, we will tell the public,” he said.
“Even if we don’t tell the public directly, we have Parliament.”
The former Interior CS said Parliament had a constitutional duty to demand accountability from the Executive.
“Parliament is the representative of the people. Elected members of Parliament ought to be told and explained everything that is happening in government,” he stated.
Matiang’i also raised alarm over what he termed as deteriorating security across the country.
“The level of insecurity in this country is going out of hand,” he warned.
“I am saying this because I have a personal responsibility as a former Minister of Interior.”
He cited increasing livestock theft, killings and cases of violence against women as major concerns.
“Livestock theft in rural areas is on the rise. Homicide cases, rape, and the murder of women—femicide—is becoming a crisis,” he said.
“Please take charge. You have the law; you have the instruments.”
Matiang’i urged the government to listen to religious leaders, civil society groups and ordinary citizens raising concerns about the country.
“Engage candidly and listen to the people of Kenya,” he stated.
“Listen to our religious leaders—the Conference of Catholic Bishops, the PCEA leaders, the NCCK—everyone.”
The former CS said his political camp would continue holding public forums on the Finance Bill 2026.
“For now, we will be holding public engagements ourselves as we discuss Finance Bill 2026,” he said.
“Our view is that it should be rejected because of its draconian and punitive taxation measures.”
Matiang’i also defended professional policing standards and accused politicians of interfering with security operations.
“Responsible policing is something this country has invested in heavily. We have standing orders on how police are supposed to conduct their affairs,” he said.
“The difference here is the politicization of security responsibilities.”
He further alleged that criminal gangs were sometimes being used alongside police during operations and protests.
“The deployment of goons and criminals side-by-side with the police” was dangerous, Matiang’i said.
“Most officers in the security sector are honest, serious people; they need to be allowed to do their work without undue political pressure.”
The Jubilee politician said cases involving deaths or excessive force by police should be independently investigated.
“When mistakes happen and people die or force is used disproportionately, investigations ought to be done and those involved brought to book,” he stated.
“We are a rule of law country. We are all equal before the law.”
Matiang’i claimed frustration was growing even within the security sector because of the current political climate.
“I have never seen a time where there was such resentment even within the security sector teams themselves,” he said.
“The level of damage done to the country is currently irredeemable.”
The former CS urged leaders to listen to all sectors of society rather than dismissing criticism.
“Listen to Kenyans—whether they are religious leaders, academics, civil society leaders, or ‘Mama Mboga’ group leaders,” he said.
“We are a democracy. People have a right to express themselves.”
Matiang’i criticised what he termed as attempts to divert public debate toward tribal politics and attacks on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family.
“When people ask questions of a government, it is only logical that the government pays attention and avoids deflecting to irrelevant tribal issues or dragging in the retired president and his family,” he stated.
The Jubilee politician insisted that public debate should focus on accountability and adherence to the rule of law.
“We truly believe that we should act and transact strictly according to the rule of law,” he said.
“We ask these accountability questions because we intend for that to be the way public debate goes.”
Matiang’i also declared support for ongoing protests and strikes opposing government policies and taxation measures.
“On the question of the strike: we support the strike,” he stated.
“We support any action that presses the government to do the right thing.”
He concluded by saying corruption and conflicts of interest remained the root causes of the country’s current economic and governance challenges.
“The actual solution is to address the corruption, the conflict of interest, and what has finally brought us to this point,” Matiang’i said.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD