Matiang’i addresses claims of being a project in presidential bid
By Luke Oluoch, July 14, 2025Presidential hopeful Fred Matiangi has dismissed assertions that his presidential bid is being pushed by people beyond him as deceitful propaganda.
Speaking during a live interview with Kameme TV on Monday, July 14, 2025, the former CS decried being harshly judged for serving the Jubilee administration while many politicians who also served the administration under Uhuru Kenyatta never get the same treatment.
“I served in Jubilee under Uhuru Kenyatta. There were also about 50 ministers too, including his DP, who is now president. So if I am a project, the one who was the DP is a bigger project. I don’t see how I can become a project,” he posited.
While acknowledging that he can’t dissociate himself from his past work stations, the former Interior CS asked to be accorded just treatment like other contenders.
I have also worked for the World Bank, why am I not being called a World Bank project now?” he quizzed. The notion that I am a project of someone is deceitful propaganda. It’s meant to derail us from more important issues of building this nation. Soon we will be interviewed by Kenyans to see if we are qualified for the job. You cannot tell me that I should not front myself when that time comes,” he stated.
Matiang’i also spoke on his decision to contest for political office, repudiating assertions that the field is a muddled one.
He opined that the common adage that politics is a dirty field is meant to deter people with good intentions from effecting change.
“I don’t know if it’s dirty politics or the people who are there that are the dirty. The world is full of decent people who have been in politics and made their mark and gone their way, so I don’t know if it’s the politics itself or the people there that are dirty. I sometimes feel the notion is used to deter people who could have had the influence and capacity to help people,” he stated.
“We had Kibaki, who was a respected economist who did his work and left. You never hear him hurling insults at anyone. You also have President Kenyatta do his work and leave. I believe our country is looking for leadership and service delivery to citizens. That service can be delivered without much sideshow and drama.
“What we are seeking is a chance to serve our people and not the drama and sideshows of politics,” he added.