Matiang’i: We chose restraint, not bullets during Raila’s mock swearing-in
By Isaac Mutia, July 14, 2025Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has insisted that police carried themselves professionally, choosing restraint instead of bullets during Raila Odinga’s mock swearing as the people’s president on January 30, 2018, at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.
Speaking during an interview with K24 TV on Monday, July 14, 2025, Matiang’i said Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration decided against using force to avoid casualties, allowing the protesters to disperse peacefully without any shots fired or deaths, contrasting with historical instances of violence at the same location, such as the 1989 protests led by Wangari Maathai against land grabbing, which were violently suppressed by the Moi regime.
“Despite pressure, including from within the ruling ranks, to use force, we used the correct approach to maintain peace,” he stated publicly
Uhuru Park has a history of being a significant site for political and social gatherings in Kenya, often associated with both peaceful assemblies and violent crackdowns.
The park’s role in political protests, including the 1992 gathering by mothers of Mwakenya Movement members demanding their release, highlights its importance as a symbol of resistance and a focal point for public dissent, which adds context to Matiang’i’s statements about managing such events without violence.
Matiang’i’s mention of not using force during the protest aligns with a broader narrative of shifting approaches to public order in Kenya, especially considering the historical context where previous administrations, like that of Daniel arap Moi, were known for harsh responses to dissent, including the suppression of the Mwakenya Movement.
This shift could be seen as part of a broader evolution in Kenyan governance towards more measured responses to public demonstrations, potentially influenced by international scrutiny and changing domestic attitudes towards protest rights.
Matiang’i clarified that the government deliberately chose restraint over force during Raila’s controversial mock swearing-in to avoid violence.
According to Matiang’i, authorities had credible intelligence suggesting that militant elements aligned with the National Super Alliance (NASA) had plans to incite violence—possibly shedding innocent Kenyan blood—and blame police for the fallout.
“Our decision to pull back security forces prevented thousands of deaths and allowed space for dialogue instead of bloodshed,” he said.
This risk prompted a precautionary withdrawal of security forces from Uhuru Park, avoiding a potential confrontation.
He emphasised that the media had been forewarned not to broadcast the event. Still, some outlets did, which he claimed could have further inflamed the situation and led to deadly clashes.
Backing up this narrative, human rights groups noted the government did indeed shut down major TV and radio stations during the event—three television channels and several radio stations were taken off-air by the Communications Authority to stifle the broadcast.