An old video clip has resurfaced online showing former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i addressing the arrest of suspects who disrupted a political tour by William Ruto, then serving as Deputy President.
In the footage, Matiang’i is heard issuing a firm warning following the incident, insisting that every citizen has the right to travel freely to any part of the country regardless of political affiliation.
The clip dates back to an incident where several vehicles in Ruto’s motorcade were destroyed after a section of youths blocked his convoy along the Busia to Kakamega highway, reportedly chanting pro ODM slogans as they threw stones and crude weapons at the vehicles.
Speaking at the time during a public event, Matiang’i directed local security officials to work urgently with police to identify and arrest those behind the disruption, which led to the arrest of several suspects.
In the video, Matiang’i stresses that political leaders and aspirants must be free to move and campaign anywhere in the country without facing violent disruption.
He is also heard urging security agencies to remain neutral and act fairly when handling political gatherings, regardless of which side of the political divide is involved.
The resurfaced clip has generated renewed conversation online, with many drawing comparisons between Matiang’i’s firm stance then and the current wave of goon related attacks targeting opposition figures, including the Linda Mwananchi convoy’s experience in Keumbu, Kisii County.
Some social media users have used the video to question whether the same standard of accountability and swift action seen in the earlier incident is being applied consistently today, regardless of which political camp is affected.