Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has dismissed criticism that his leadership style was authoritarian, insisting that his actions were guided by the rule of law rather than a desire to suppress citizens.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM, the 2027 presidential hopeful defended his record, arguing that meaningful transformation requires discipline and strict adherence to existing laws, not leniency.
“Things don’t just happen on their own. I hear people comparing Kenya to Singapore, and it’s admirable but how did Singapore achieve that progress? It took discipline and sacrifice,” Matiang’i stated.
“We have to work for results; development won’t come through complacency.”
Overhauling Kenya’s Security System
Reflecting on his tenure at the Ministry of Interior, Matiang’i revealed that he inherited a disorganized and risky security framework, particularly concerning the management of private firearm ownership.
“When I took office, there were no proper records of licensed gun holders a serious national security threat,” he noted.
Citing the Firearms Act (Cap. 114), which governs the issuance and regulation of firearm certificates in Kenya, Matiang’i said he launched a nationwide audit and vet
