For years, the specter of unresolved high-profile cases has cast a long shadow over Kenya's security apparatus and judicial system. Now, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, the formidable former Interior Cabinet Secretary, has finally broken his silence, offering his perspective on some of the most enduring mysteries of his tenure. From the chilling discovery of bodies in River Yala to the unresolved murder of IEBC ICT Manager Chris Msando just a week before the pivotal 2017 General Election, Matiang'i's exclusive interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday aimed to shed light on the elusive truth.
Matiang'i's core assertion is that his ministry meticulously followed up on these critical cases until his very last day in office. He maintained that these matters were still under active investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) at the time of his exit, implying that the responsibility for their resolution now lies with the current administration.
The incident at River Yala sent shockwaves across the nation. Over 30 bodies were retrieved from the river, sparking widespread horror and demanding answers. Matiang'i revealed that he escalated the gravity of the situation to then-Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai. According to the former CS, the police leadership informed them that positive identification of the bodies by their respective families was paramount to uncovering the full truth behind their deaths.
“We asked the Police IG, and it was agreed that the DCI should spend some time there. When they came back, we demanded an inquest,” Matiang'i explained. He further clarified the investigative hurdle: "However, the DCI required families to positively identify the bodies to establish the circumstances of their deaths. By the time we left office, the file was still open as investigations were ongoing. I didn’t leave with the file, it was a police matter.” This statement implies a continuity of investigation, suggesting the burden of resolution now rests with the current DCI and police leadership.
The murder of Chris Msando remains one of Kenya's most haunting and politically charged unsolved crimes. His death, just days before the fiercely contested 2017 elections, fueled intense speculation and accusations. On this sensitive matter, Matiang'i again maintained that the case remained open until after his tenure concluded.
“The incident was reported and I know it the way you know it. We asked several questions about the matter," he noted. He drew parallels to other high-profile unresolved cases from his time in office, including the murders of businessman Jacob Juma and Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei, both of which also remain unsolved. "There were several cases, such as Jacob Juma, Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei (which) were also under investigation. The DCI kept saying the file is still open, even if you're the President, there's nothing you can do. You go by what the Police IG tells you." This statement highlights the intricate chain of command and the reliance on police investigative autonomy even at the highest levels of government.
Crucially, Matiang'i offered a path forward for these lingering mysteries. According to him, the said cases would only be solved if the government initiates a public inquest to thoroughly probe them. In a significant move to demonstrate his commitment to uncovering the truth, he declared his readiness to testify before any judge regarding these incidents. This willingness to provide his account in a formal judicial setting could potentially unearth new details and provide momentum to investigations that have long been stalled.
Matiang'i's decision to speak out now, years after leaving office, comes at a time when the current government of President William Ruto is also facing intense scrutiny over alleged rights abuses, police brutality, and a perceived disregard for court orders. The former CS's revelations re-ignite national conversations about accountability, justice, and the mechanisms through which a nation comes to terms with its unresolved past.
