Matiang’i accuses Ruto’s govt of being invaded by looters
By Paulette Mboga, August 29, 2025Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has launched an attack on President William Ruto’s government, accusing it of being under the control of what he described as a “cartel of looters.”
Matiang’i, who has kept a relatively low political profile since leaving office in 2022, made the remarks during a funeral service in Nyasore, Kisii County, on Friday, August 29, 2025.
The former CS, who once wielded immense influence in the Uhuru Kenyatta administration, expressed deep concern over the country’s direction under the Kenya Kwanza government. He said that instead of delivering on promises of development and transformation, Ruto’s administration had prioritised looting public resources.
“Instead of focusing on development, the work now is to loot the country. Kenya was invaded by looters in 2022, and all they do is steal. Those who have not stolen are busy selling off national assets. If we continue like this, in the next five years, Kenya will have nothing left,” Matiang’i said while addressing supporters during the burial of Mzee Naftal Zachary Chweya.
Calls for accountability in governance
Matiang’i’s remarks come against the backdrop of mounting public concerns over the high cost of living, new tax measures, and what critics have called a widening trust gap between government promises and delivery. By accusing Ruto’s administration of being “captured by looters,” Matiang’i amplified long-standing criticisms from the opposition, who argue that Kenya Kwanza has failed to prioritise the welfare of ordinary citizens.
The former CS emphasised that unchecked corruption could cripple the country’s development agenda. He warned that if the looting spree continued, Kenya risked losing its economic and social foundations within the next five years.
Although Matiang’i did not provide names or specific cases to back up his claims, his sharp rebuke signals a re-emergence into the national political conversation. His words also appear to reflect growing discontent in some quarters of the former government, who accuse Ruto’s team of abandoning governance for personal gain.
With the political climate already charged, Matiang’i’s statement is likely to fuel further debate on governance, accountability, and the future direction of the Kenya Kwanza administration.