Kisii residents yesterday took to the streets to demonstrate against the recent detention of Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’I at the Director of Criminal Investigations.
The protests erupted shortly after news of Matiang’i’s detention broke out. According to reports, Matiang’i was apprehended over an alleged raid at his Karen home that he claimed was conducted by the police early last month.
However, the Kisii residents maintain that the arrest was politically motivated, and they called on the Ruto-led government to respect the former Interior minister.
The demonstrations started in the early hours of the morning, with protesters carrying placards and chanting slogans in support of Matiang’i. The demonstrators marched through the streets, causing traffic congestion in the town. They expressed their displeasure over the detention and demanded that the government release Matiang’i unconditionally.
The protests have been sparked by what many Kenyans perceive as a crackdown on former leaders who were against Ruto’s presidency. The opposition claims that the government is using state institutions such as the police to conduct political witch hunts against those who never supported them.
However, the government has denied these allegations and maintains that it is only upholding the rule of law.
The Kisii residents’ demonstration is a clear indication that the political temperature in the country is rising even as the opposition led by Raila Odinga is planning a one million people demonstration to state house.
The government must take steps to address the concerns raised by the opposition and ensure that the rule of law is upheld at all times. The arrest of political leaders should not be seen as a means of silencing dissenting voices but rather as a way of holding public officials accountable for their actions.
