Danstan Omari Explains Why Matiang'i Flew To The UK For 2 Weeks

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i's lawyer, Danstan Omari on Wednesday, March 1 explained why he travelled quietly out of the country on Sunday, February 19.

In a statement, Omari confirmed that his client had flown to the United Kingdom (UK) on a regular private visit, transiting through Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

He further added that the CS had nothing to hide as he had been a regular traveller to the UK through Dutch flag carrier airline KLM and that he flew there for family reasons.

Lawyer Danstan Omari outside Milimani Law Courts during a past media address. /FILE

“Those familiar with his travel schedules over time will confirm that he travels regularly to that part of the world via KLM and as was in this case- very openly, through open public means.

“There is nothing sinister about his travel. He is there to attend to an urgent private family matter and shall return to resume his ordinary routine as a private citizen,” the lawyer explained.

He added that Matiang'i will be expected in Kenya after two weeks to resume his duties as a private citizen.

Omari further noted that he had informally informed senior security sector as well as diplomatic officials regarding his travel owing to his previous role in the critical security sector.

Accordingly, the former CS was not aware of investigations against him, with Omari further affirming that constitutional offices have the right to discharge their mandate, but must follow due process.

“May I urge the media to exercise careful judgement while reporting on communications that are intentionally leaked for the purpose of achieving certain sinister objectives,” Omari stated.

Details of Matiang’i's travels emerged through a letter addressed to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) through the Immigration department on Tuesday, February 28.

The former CS was also reported to have boarded a plane at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on that day, bound for the Netherlands.

"Passport number BK276318 was issued to Dr Okengo Matiangi on 12th January 2022. He is also a holder of Diplomatic passport number DK0067.

"The subject departed on 19th February 2023 through JKIA on KLM fight number KL 566," the letter read in part.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the Netherlands' flag carrier airline that plies the Nairobi-Amsterdam route. 

Viral Tea did spot checks through the flight tracking platform FlightAware on the flight Matiang'i was on during that day and found that he boarded the KLM flight at 12.07 am local time, and arrived at Amsterdam Schipol airport at 6:27 am Netherlands time.

The former CS's woes piled up after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) wrote to Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei seeking information regarding his declared wealth.