Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has finally opened up about some of the most mysterious deaths that happened while he was in office, including the killing of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ICT manager, Chris Msando.
Speaking on Tuesday evening during a live interview on Citizen TV, Matiang’i said that at the time he left government, the case surrounding Msando’s murder was still being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
He explained that despite making repeated efforts to get updates on the progress of the investigations, the DCI continued to inform him that the file on Msando’s murder was still open and had not yet been concluded.
Matiang’i emphasized that even during his time in office, detectives were still working on a number of high-profile murder cases.
He mentioned the assassination of businessman Jacob Juma as another unresolved case. “That incident was officially reported, and I only know about it like everyone else — that an IEBC official was brutally murdered.
The investigation was ongoing. Every time this issue comes up, I keep asking, why haven’t we launched a public inquiry to get to the bottom of it?” Matiang’i asked during the interview.
He further stated, “There were several other cases, like the murder of Jacob Juma, which also remained under investigation. The DCI just kept saying that the files are open. And let me tell you, even if you are the President, there are certain things that remain beyond your control.”
On River Yala Bodies
When asked about the shocking discovery of bodies dumped in River Yala — a case that made national headlines after over 30 unidentified bodies were found — Matiang’i said the matter was immediately brought to the attention of then-Inspector General of Police, Hilary Mutyambai. He said they treated the matter with urgency and seriousness due to the high number of bodies involved.
Matiang’i recalled that Mutyambai told him that for investigations to proceed effectively, families of the deceased needed to come forward and help identify their loved ones.
This, according to the former CS, was a major requirement to help investigators trace who the victims were, and possibly link them to those responsible for the killings.
He further said that during his final days in office, the case files related to the River Yala bodies were still active. He emphasized that he did not walk away with those files and that it was now up to the current government to pick up from where they left off and ensure justice is served.
“We summoned IG Mutyambai and asked him what exactly was going on in River Yala. We all agreed that the matter was so serious that the DCI boss himself had to travel to the scene and lead the investigations in person,” Matiang’i stated.
He went on to say, “When the officers came back, they recommended that an inquest should be carried out. And by the time we were handing over to the next administration, the investigation file was open and active. I did not go with it.”
Call for a Public Inquest
Matiang’i stressed that the best way for the country to handle the many mysterious deaths that have taken place over the years is by conducting public inquests.
He said such inquiries would allow those who were in the security sector during the time of these killings to come forward and give useful information to help resolve the cases.
He expressed concern that without a transparent public process, questions surrounding these tragic deaths would continue to linger in the minds of Kenyans.
According to Matiang’i, a public inquest would not only offer closure to the victims’ families but also help restore trust in the country’s criminal justice system.
He concluded by saying that while he had done what he could during his time in office, it was now the responsibility of those in power to pursue the truth and deliver justice to those affected by these unresolved killings.
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