Kenyan lawyer and political activist Miguna Miguna delivered a scathing critique of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. The interview, a fiery rejoinder to Matiang’i’s recent appearance on the same platform, saw Miguna level a series of grave accusations against the former CS, branding him unfit for public office due to a legacy of human rights abuses, impunity, and corruption.
Miguna Miguna’s claims, rooted in his personal experiences and broader allegations of state-sponsored atrocities, have reignited public debate about Matiang’i’s tenure and his 2027 presidential ambitions. This article delves into the full scope of Miguna’s accusations, drawing from the Citizen TV interview and other authoritative sources to provide a detailed and balanced account.
Miguna Miguna’s Grudge and Matiang’i’s Political Re-emergence
Miguna Miguna has long been at odds with Matiang’i. The roots of their conflict trace back to 2018, when Miguna was forcibly deported from Kenya following his role in the mock swearing-in of opposition leader Raila Odinga as the “People’s President” after the disputed 2017 election. Matiang’i, then Interior CS, was accused of orchestrating this deportation, which Miguna claims was marked by torture, illegal detention, and defiance of court orders. The Citizen TV interview was granted in response to Matiang’i’s July 1, 2025, appearance, where he discussed his presidential candidacy without, in Miguna’s view, being sufficiently challenged on his record. Miguna demanded airtime to “correct the record,” and what followed was a politically charged exposé that left viewers stunned.
Here are the key points from the interview:
1. Orchestrating Miguna Miguna’s Abduction, Torture, and Deportation
The centerpiece of Miguna’s accusations was Matiang’i’s alleged role in his 2018 abduction, detention, and deportation. Miguna recounted the events of February 2, 2018, when state agents raided his Runda home at 4 a.m., blowing it up with explosives and destroying his property. He was arrested, detained incommunicado for six days, and subjected to what he described as physical and psychological torture. Miguna claimed he was forcibly sedated with noxious substances, rendering him unconscious, before being deported to Canada via Dubai. Displaying his damaged Kenyan passport during the interview, Miguna accused Matiang’i of personally ordering its destruction, an act that briefly halted the broadcast due to its dramatic impact.
Miguna further alleged that Matiang’i defied multiple court orders demanding his release. High Court Judge George Odunga, in rulings on March 28 and 29, 2018, convicted Matiang’i, then-Inspector General Joseph Boinnet, and former Director of Immigration Gordon Kihalangwa of contempt of court for ignoring judicial directives. A December 14, 2018, ruling by Justice Enoch Chacha Mwita declared Miguna’s deportation unconstitutional, affirming his Kenyan citizenship by birth and awarding him Ksh 7 million in damages for violations of his rights, plus Ksh 270,000 for property damage. Miguna emphasized that these court orders, which found Matiang’i unfit to hold public office, were never enforced, allowing impunity to persist.
2. The River Yala Murders and Extrajudicial Killings
Miguna broadened his accusations to include Matiang’i’s alleged complicity in widespread human rights abuses, most notably the infamous River Yala murders. Between 2019 and 2022, dozens of bodies were discovered dumped in the River Yala in Siaya County, with many believed to be victims of extrajudicial killings by the now-disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU) of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, which operated under Matiang’i’s oversight.
MigunaMiguna accused Matiang’i of turning a blind eye to these atrocities, failing to investigate or hold perpetrators accountable. He argued that Matiang’i’s dismissive attitude toward the killings, coupled with his claim of ignorance about the SSU’s existence, was a damning indictment of his leadership.
Matiang’i, in his July 1, 2025, Citizen TV interview, called for a public inquest into the River Yala killings and other high-profile murders, including those of Chris Msando, Jacob Juma, and Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei. However, Miguna dismissed this as a self-serving attempt at political rebranding, accusing Matiang’i of evading responsibility for atrocities committed under his watch. Miguna also linked Matiang’i to the murder of Chris Msando, the IEBC ICT manager killed in 2017, suggesting that Matiang’i’s tenure was marked by a pattern of state-sponsored violence against critics.
3. The Ruaraka Land Scandal and Corruption
Beyond human rights abuses, Miguna Miguna accused Matiang’i of involvement in the Ksh 1.5 billion Ruaraka land scandal, a controversy that rocked the Ministries of Interior and Education during his tenure. According to investigative reports and court records, Matiang’i and then-Education PS Belio Kipsang facilitated fraudulent compensation to businessman Francis Mburu Mungai for public land belonging to Ruaraka High School.
Miguna Miguna claimed Matiang’i received a Ksh 300 million bribe to process the illegal payout, a charge that has lingered unresolved since the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) named Matiang’i in the scandal. The death of Mburu in February 2025 reignited public anger, with Miguna arguing that Matiang’i’s failure to face justice exemplified Kenya’s culture of impunity.
4. Defiance of Court Orders and Subversion of the Constitution
Miguna repeatedly emphasized Matiang’i’s defiance of judicial authority as evidence of his unfitness for leadership. In addition to the 2018 contempt rulings, Miguna pointed to Matiang’i’s refusal to comply with court orders to restore his Kenyan passport and lift illegal “red alerts” that blocked his return to Kenya for five years. These alerts, Miguna claimed, were issued under Matiang’i’s directive to prevent his re-entry, even after the High Court ruled on December 14, 2018, that he had never lost his Kenyan citizenship. Miguna argued that Matiang’i’s actions constituted a deliberate subversion of the Constitution, undermining the rule of law and setting a dangerous precedent for governance.
5. Betrayal by President Ruto and Unfulfilled Promises
Miguna also took aim at President William Ruto, accusing him of failing to deliver on promises to hold Matiang’i accountable. Upon Miguna’s return to Kenya in October 2022, Ruto allegedly assured him that the Attorney General would resolve his lawsuits and ensure compensation for his ordeal. However, Miguna claimed that Ruto reneged on this commitment, allowing Matiang’i and other officials like Karanja Kibicho and George Kinoti to evade prosecution. This betrayal, Miguna argued, reflected a broader failure to address past injustices, further emboldening figures like Matiang’i to pursue political office without accountability.
Matiang’i’s Defense and the Political Context
Matiang’i has not directly responded to Miguna’s latest accusations from the July 13, 2025, interview, but his earlier statements provide some context. In a 2020 statement, Matiang’i attributed Miguna’s deportation to stringent citizenship laws under the 2011 Citizen and Foreign National Management Services Act, claiming the government was merely enforcing existing regulations. He proposed statutory amendments to facilitate Kenyans seeking to regain citizenship, distancing himself from personal responsibility.
In his July 1, 2025, Citizen TV interview, Matiang’i positioned himself as a reformist, pledging to fight corruption and address past extrajudicial killings through a public inquest. Critics, including Miguna, view these moves as attempts to whitewash his record ahead of the 2027 election, where he has been endorsed by the Jubilee Party and aligned with opposition figures like Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka.
Are The Accusations Personal?
Miguna’s accusations against Matiang’i are not just personal; they strike at the heart of Kenya’s struggle with impunity, state violence, and the rule of law. His claims, backed by court rulings and investigative reports, highlight systemic issues in governance that continue to fuel public distrust. The River Yala murders, the Ruaraka scandal, and Miguna’s own ordeal underscore the challenges of holding powerful figures accountable in a country where political elites often evade justice.
As Matiang’i campaigns for the presidency, Miguna’s interview serves as Stuart a timely reminder of the need for accountability and transparency in leadership.Miguna’s legal battles against Matiang’i are ongoing, with lawsuits filed in both Kenya and Canada seeking damages for his alleged torture, unlawful detention, and forced exile. The High Court’s 2018 ruling awarding him Ksh 7 million remains unpaid, and Miguna has vowed to pursue justice relentlessly. His Citizen TV appearance was a public trial of Matiang’i’s legacy, amplifying calls for a reckoning as Kenya approaches the 2027 election.
What Happens Next?
Miguna Miguna’s interview was a political bombshell, exposing what he describes as Fred Matiang’i’s dark legacy of human rights abuses, corruption, and constitutional subversion. From orchestrating his abduction and deportation to enabling extrajudicial killings and profiting from the Ruaraka land scandal, Miguna’s accusations paint a troubling picture of Matiang’i’s tenure as Interior CS. Supported by court rulings and investigative reports, these claims challenge Matiang’i’s reformist narrative and raise critical questions about accountability in Kenyan politics. As the nation grapples with its past and future, Miguna’s voice remains a clarion call for justice and transformation.
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