Gusii Leaders Slam Matiang'i Home Raid As DCI Uncovers Cracks

Leaders in Kisii and Nyamira Counties have condemned the alleged raid of police officers who were intent on arresting former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang'i at his Karen home even as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) released its findings on the matter.

Speaking to the media, Nyamira Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) hailed Matiang’i as a national leader who diligently delivered on his assignment in government prevailing circumstances notwithstanding. 

Nyamira Assembly Speaker Enock Okero said Dr Matiang’i should be accorded respect and that the leaders are standing in solidarity with him as leaders and Kenyans in general. 

"As Omogusii, despite various ups and downs we are very proud of our son and hold him in extreme regard for the role he played in rallying the community behind the government he so selflessly and passionately served," he said.

Enock Okero, Nyamira Assembly Speaker addressing the press on February 9, 2023. /VIRALTEAKE.ELIZABETH ANGIRA

He cited that Matiangi is credited with numerous institutional and infrastructural developments across the nation.

"We, therefore, join the rest of Kenyans in condemning the unwarranted raid on his residence on  February 8 and applaud the battery of lawyers and leaders who made it to his home in time to thwart the otherwise evil scheme of returning our country to the dark era of repression characterized by arbitrary night arrests and other forms of harassment on senior officials," he said.

The leaders called on investigative agencies to investigate the raid and request the government to offer enhanced security to Matiang’i.

Kisii MCAs led by the assembly Majority whip and Bomorenda ward MCA John Ombati further noted that the police bosses who have since denied the raid on the former minister's home should tell Kenyans who the suspects are and why they have not been arrested.

Ombati praised Matiang'i as the Kisii kingpin and termed an attack on him as an attack on the whole community, a witch hunt that they won't allow under their watch.

"We are joining the rest of Kenyans in condemning the unwarranted arrest of our leader," said Ombati.

Meanwhile, Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin denied that his officers and those from the police force were deployed to arrest Matiang'i while accusing him of stage-managing the whole event.

"No officers from the DCI were deployed to find or arrest Dr Matiang'i at his residence or anywhere else. For the record, I can confirm that none of the cases under investigation so far have reached the stage, which requires the assistance or attendance of Dr Matiang'i.

"DCI treats the allegations of a raid into the home of Dr Matiang'i seriously and has conducted an initial investigation into the matter," Amin stated.

He was addressing the media when he released the findings of the investigations carried out on the alleged police raid. Amin further revealed that preliminary investigations indicated that there was a deliberate attempt to spread false information.

"We have managed to interview several witnesses & our preliminary findings have uncovered evidence of a well-coordinated & deliberate attempt to spread false information and incite public fear. Unfortunately, it was spearheaded by a person of the standing of a former Interior CS.

"According to our investigations, activity began building up at Dr Matiangi's home on Wednesday at 8 pm. Initially, He (Matiang'i) informed his guards some of whom have been interviewed by DCI that he was expecting guests who are lawyers and instructed them to grant access upon their arrival... they (lawyers) arrived shortly after and proceeded to a meeting inside the house of Dr Fred Matiang'i. They were later joined by other politicians, led by none other than Raila Odinga," he went on.

The lawyers would later disappear in three vehicles, leaving the other three in the compound while informing security guards that they would address the media, and would be joined by Azimio party leader, Raila Odinga.

"After another few minutes, the lawyers drove off in three vehicles, leaving three other cars in the compound. As they left, they informed the guards that they were going to address the press. At around 9.30 pm, Mr Odinga and the team left the home to go and join the lawyers in the press conference. Dr Matiang'i then informed the guards that police would be arriving, accompanied by the media to arrest him, and instructed them to allow the police access to the home but to lock out the media," he added. 

The DCI boss noted that ODM leader Raila Odinga's team alerted the media of the alleged raid at Matiang'i's home while leaving the media to its own tools on the matter.

"The DCI confirms that this was a deliberate and malicious attempt to spread false information and incite fear, and is nothing more than the highest form of fake news. DCI will leave the media to its own self-introspection. In our view, it should hold itself accountable for its role in spreading this false information and should apologize to the public," he said.

He concluded by warning that DCI would not tolerate the purveyors of false information and will take firm and bold action against all those involved in the matter.