In a fiery Twitter thread that has shaken Kenya’s political scene, gospel singer and former presidential candidate Rueben Kigame has torn apart Dr. Fred Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions.
Kigame didn’t mince words, challenging Matiang’i’s record as Interior CS and warning Kenyans not to fall for the polished narrative of a “performer” and “Mr. Fix It.”
His posts, which have since gone viral, remind us of the dark chapters under Matiang’i’s leadership—stories of state brutality, corruption, and failed policies that cannot simply be brushed under the carpet as Kenya heads toward 2027.
Kigame’s Tweets Expose Matiang’i Scandals and Troubling Legacy
Kigame’s salvo was triggered by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka’s appearance on NTV’s Fix The Nation, where Onyonka sang Matiang’i’s praises and defended his presidential bid. But Kigame, with precision and clarity, demanded answers.
He listed glaring scandals tied to Matiang’i’s tenure, painting a picture of a man who may have kept the wheels turning in government, but at a terrible cost to democracy, human rights, and the public purse.
Top of Kigame’s list was the horrific treatment of lawyer Miguna Miguna. Kigame reminded Kenyans how Miguna, a citizen and a legal professional, was abducted, brutalized, and dumped in Canada, all under Matiang’i’s watch.
Miguna’s “crime” was participating in the mock swearing-in of Raila Odinga—a political act that should have been met with dialogue, not exile.
Kigame did not stop there. He accused Matiang’i of overseeing chilling operations where bodies of slain citizens were dumped into the Yala River—a grim echo of extrajudicial killings that mirrored the worst days of repression.
“We saw bodies floating like garbage,” Kigame tweeted, drawing uncomfortable parallels between Matiang’i’s rule and the brutality of the current KK government.
Another explosive claim centered on the Huduma Number project—a grand digital registration scheme Matiang’i championed, which turned out to be a monumental failure.
Kigame blasted Matiang’i for pushing a fraudulent system that bled billions from the national treasury, all while offering little in terms of real value to Kenyans.
And then there was the education sector. Kigame laid into Matiang’i’s tenure as Education CS, accusing him of policy chaos that left students, teachers, and parents in disarray.
He questioned how someone with such a checkered past could have the audacity to present himself as Kenya’s next savior.
Miguna Miguna’s Ordeal Still Haunts Matiang’i
The deportation of Miguna Miguna remains one of the most shameful episodes in Matiang’i’s political life.
In 2018, Miguna was forcibly removed from Kenya despite multiple court orders demanding his release. He was beaten, drugged, and dumped in Canada—an act widely condemned both locally and internationally.
Matiang’i, at the time, justified the action by claiming that Miguna had lost his Kenyan citizenship under the old Constitution. But the courts dismissed this excuse, branding the deportation illegal.
Miguna’s eventual return in 2022, following William Ruto’s rise to power, was a stark reminder of the injustice meted out under Matiang’i’s reign.
Onyonka’s defense? That we shouldn’t expect an angel or Jesus Christ to lead Kenya. But is it too much to ask for a leader who respects the Constitution and basic human rights?
The Yala River Deaths and Extrajudicial Killings
Kigame’s tweets shone a light on the horrifying discovery of bodies in the Yala River—a scandal that exploded into public view during Matiang’i’s tenure.
Activists and families of victims decried the apparent pattern of state-sanctioned killings and disappearances, which critics say was part of a wider crackdown on dissent and crime.
The grim reality? Dozens of bodies, some mutilated beyond recognition, were retrieved from the river. Human rights organizations repeatedly called out the Interior Ministry for turning a blind eye or, worse, being complicit in these killings.
Under Matiang’i, the security apparatus seemed to have carte blanche to operate above the law, with little regard for life or justice.
Kigame Brands Huduma Number a Massive Scam in List of Matiang’i Scandals
Kigame also tore into the infamous Huduma Number fiasco—a grand promise that turned into a grand scam. Launched with much fanfare, the Huduma project was supposed to streamline government services and usher Kenya into a new era of digital governance. But instead, it became a black hole for public funds.
Billions were poured into the project, but years later, Kenyans saw no tangible benefits. Worse still, the system raised serious privacy and data protection concerns, with watchdogs warning that it could be used to spy on citizens.
Kigame framed Huduma Number as a symbol of Matiang’i’s penchant for grand gestures that mask deep inefficiencies and corruption.
Wraping Up …..
Rueben Kigame’s Twitter tirade has forced Kenyans to confront uncomfortable truths. While Matiang’i’s supporters are quick to highlight his firm hand and administrative skills, Kigame has reminded us that leadership is about more than appearances.
It’s about upholding justice, protecting citizens, and being a good steward of public resources. Matiang’i’s scandals—from Miguna Miguna’s deportation to the Yala River killings and the Huduma Number debacle—are not minor blemishes. They are deep scars that demand accountability.
As Kenya gears up for 2027, voters must look beyond the polished image and ask hard questions: Do we want another strongman at the helm? Or are we ready to demand leaders who truly respect democracy and human rights?
Kigame’s words ring loud and clear: “There are many things I do not see, but these ones—heeeh!” Kenyans would do well to pay attention.
