Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has launched a scathing critique against President William Ruto following the Head of State’s recent development tour of Kisii and Nyamira counties.
Hon Matiang’i declared that the Gusii community cannot be swayed by financial handouts or ceremonial project launches.
Addressing residents in the Gusii region, Matiang’i took direct aim at the administration’s strategy of launching multiple initiatives during high-profile regional visits.
He asserted that the people of Kisii and Nyamira cannot be bought with meager cash handouts, criticizing what he described as a recurring trend of filling the two counties with foundation stones rather than delivering tangible, completed development.
According to Matiang’i, residents are increasingly discerning and demand substantive economic empowerment and completed infrastructure rather than political optics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
His remarks come just days after President Ruto toured the Gusii region, where the Head of State laid foundation stones for key projects—including the Kisii Cancer Treatment Centre and modern markets in Nyamira—while pledging hundreds of millions of shillings toward regional education and road infrastructure.
During the tour, Ruto and allied leaders sought to consolidate political support in the vote-rich region and even extended overtures to Matiang’i to join the government.
However, Matiang’i firmly rejected those advances, signaling that the Gusii electorate will evaluate leadership based on genuine accountability and service delivery.
Accompanied by local leaders, the former Cabinet Secretary maintained that the region remains steadfast in demanding meaningful development and will not trade its political conscience for short-term financial inducements.
The exchange underscores the intensifying battle for influence in Kisii and Nyamira as both the ruling coalition and opposition figures position themselves for the 2027 polls.
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