Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i may face a huge obstacle in his bid for the presidency in the 2027 General Election, following serious accusations from Gem Member of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo.
The MP has threatened to take legal action against Matiang’i, claiming he should be held responsible for a wave of extrajudicial killings that took place during his time in office.
On Thursday, July 3, MP Odhiambo publicly accused Matiang’i of overseeing a brutal security regime that allegedly resulted in the disappearance and dumping of numerous tortured bodies in River Yala between 2021 and 2022.
He argued that this dark chapter in the country’s history makes Matiang’i unfit to seek the presidency.
In a strongly worded press statement, the Gem MP announced that he plans to initiate legal measures that would directly link Matiang’i to the killings. “As the elected MP for Gem Constituency, I am disturbed by the arrogance and indifference that the former Interior CS, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, displayed in handling concerns regarding the dumping of bodies in River Yala during the lead-up to the 2022 General Elections,” read part of the statement.
Odhiambo emphasized that since Matiang’i was in charge of the country’s internal security at the time, he cannot run away from accountability.
He said that while families of the victims are still waiting for justice, Matiang’i continues to live freely without addressing the horrifying events that happened under his leadership.
The River Yala tragedy gained national and international attention between July 2021 and January 2022 after human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, raised alarm over the discovery of more than 400 bodies in the river.
Many of the bodies reportedly showed signs of severe torture, strangulation, and even gunshot wounds, pointing to a systematic and brutal campaign of extrajudicial executions.
According to MP Odhiambo, the fact that no arrests or major investigations have been concluded to date reflects not only a failure of the system but also suggests that Matiang’i was either negligent or deliberately allowed these crimes to occur.
He called the lack of accountability criminal negligence and accused the former CS of ignoring demands for answers.
The MP further revealed that efforts are already underway to file a formal petition to bar Matiang’i from contesting in the 2027 presidential race. Additionally, he is considering other legal and parliamentary options to ensure Matiang’i is held responsible.
These include pushing for a public inquiry, initiating proceedings to summon Matiang’i before Parliament, and lobbying the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to file charges of mass murder against the former CS and his associates.
“We are also exploring ways to pressure the DPP’s office to pursue charges of mass killings against Dr. Matiang’i and all other individuals who served with him during that period, including officers from the now-disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU),” Odhiambo added in the statement.
In response to the allegations, Dr. Matiang’i, who has recently hinted at running for the presidency, has denied any involvement in the killings.
Speaking in an interview on Citizen TV, the former Interior CS maintained that he had nothing to hide and was ready to cooperate with any investigations.
“I didn’t leave office with the case files. It was a matter for the police, and investigations were still ongoing when I left. I am fully willing to appear before a judge and testify about everything I know,” Matiang’i stated.
As pressure continues to mount, this case could become a significant stumbling block for Matiang’i’s political comeback.
The situation has opened fresh wounds among families still searching for justice and stirred public debate over the role of high-ranking officials in past human rights violations.
Whether or not legal proceedings will go forward, the accusations have already cast a dark shadow over his presidential ambitions.
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