He Is Afraid- Gachagua On Why Matiang'i Flew Quietly Out Of Kenya

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, March 3 termed former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i a coward, having left Kenya for the United Kingdom (UK).

Speaking during a roadside rally in Eldoret, Gachagua believed that Matiang'i escaped summons issued to him by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) by flying out on Sunday, February 19.

He claimed that he flew out days to the summons as he did not want to respond to the police regarding an alleged raid at his house on Wednesday night, February 8.

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

Gachagua advised the former CS who served in former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Cabinet to man up and obey the summons just like other Kenya Kwanza leaders who were reportedly tormented under the previous regime.

"He was called to record a simple statement but he decided to flee. Didn't I tell you that these people were cowards?

"They came after us before the elections, but did we run? They arrested me and took away our property and we stayed put," he stated.

Gachagua reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza government would not use the police to target those who opposed them before and during the 2022 general elections, believing that Matiang'i was living in his own world.

"Matiang'i suffers from hallucinations. He imagined the police arresting him. He thought we would send the police to him as they did to us. 

"He (Matiang'i) could have asked me to teach him how to write a statement at DCI," he added.

Matiang’i's lawyer Danstan Omari however cleared the air by stating that his client had flown to the 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.

“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.

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.

Matiang'i left on February 19 aboard KLM flight number KL 566 wich departed at 12.07 am local time.

A KLM passenger plane at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. /BUSINESS DAILY