Why Kisii Must Reject the Cult of Matiang’i

By Fred Allan Nyankuru

There is a dangerous myth circulating in our beloved Kisii: that because Dr. Fred Matiang’i is “one of our own,” we must blindly support him for higher office. That his surname alone, his birthplace, his shared heritage with us, is enough reason to overlook his deeds or misdeeds. I reject this myth, and so should every thinking Kisii.

Ethnicity Is Not a Free Pass for Tyranny.

Let us ask the hard question: What did Fred Matiang’i ever do for Kisii when he held immense power in government?

Did he bring industries? No.

Did he improve our infrastructure? No.

Did he lift our schools, or hospitals, or farmers? No.

Did he champion our youth languishing in unemployment? No.

And if anyone dares show me even a single tangible achievement for Kisii under his watch, then I will say that rain can fall in the form of milk. Zero. Because the truth is simple: Matiang’i did nothing for Kisii.

What he did instead was to protect the interests of his masters in Nairobi. He became their enforcer, their attack dog, their hammer of intimidation—while his own backyard remained neglected and starved.

We cannot allow collective amnesia to erase his record. This is the same man under whose watch:

The Kianjokoma brothers were murdered by police brutality.

Tens of bodies were dumped in River Yala, victims of extra-judicial killings.

Police officers’ careers were ruined, with promotions frozen and salaries unfairly slashed.

Self-taught, hardworking cops were side-lined, while the sons and daughters of the rich were parachuted into inspector ranks.

Kisii development was stalled, not because of lack of opportunity, but because of deliberate neglect.

And yet, we are now told we must rally behind him just because he carries the Kisii identity card? No. Our identity is not a license for impunity.

Some will say, “But Matiang’i was an efficient technocrat.” Efficient for who? Certainly not for the poor Kisii farmer. Not for the struggling boda boda rider. Not for the underpaid police officer. Not for the grieving families who buried their sons killed by police bullets.

His efficiency was efficiency in oppression, efficiency in corruption, efficiency in protecting the oligarchs while silencing ordinary Kenyans. He was a servant of power, not a servant of the people.

Kisii people are proud, resilient, and intelligent. We must not allow ourselves to be trapped by the primitive politics of “our man, our turn.” Supporting Matiang’i simply because he is Kisii is like applauding a thief just because he shares your surname. It is like cheering for a murderer just because he speaks your mother tongue. Ethnicity cannot wash away tyranny. True leadership is about character, integrity, and justice, not about where your umbilical cord was buried.

We, the people of Kisii, deserve better than to be manipulated into supporting a man whose hands are not clean. We deserve leaders who will uplift our farmers, protect our youth, improve our roads, empower our schools, and create opportunities. Leaders who will treat every Kenyan with dignity, not as pawns in their power games.

If we must look to one of our own, let us look to leaders like Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga —a man of principle, a defender of justice, a leader whose integrity is unquestioned. Let us not shame ourselves by rallying behind a tyrant simply because he is Kisii.

Matiang’i is not a hero. He is not a saviour. He is not even a son of Kisii in service to his people. He is a tyrant disguised as a technocrat, a man who abandoned his own backyard while faithfully serving the oligarchs in Nairobi. To support him now, just because of tribal loyalty, would be nothing short of national self-suicide.

So I say this without apology:

Matiang’i will not see my vote.

Kisii must not sell its soul to tribal politics.

We deserve better. Kenya deserves better.