President William Ruto is facing fresh demands to leave office after former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i accused his administration of failing to protect Kenyans from goons and criminal gangs.
Matiang’i made the remarks in Imenti South, Meru County , on Friday where he attended the funeral service of the late Patrick Kiogora. He said the government had lost the ability to deal with insecurity and should accept responsibility for the situation.
“Accept that you have failed Kenyans and that you are unable to lead this country. The government has failed to curtail goon violence," he stated.
The Jubilee Deputy Party Leader called on Ruto and his Cabinet to resign, saying the President should not continue in office after failing to address what he described as growing violence.
Matiang’i, who was accompanied by Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya, also turned his focus to the 2027 General Election, urging residents of the Mt. Kenya region to vote against Ruto.
“He must be sent home for failing to deliver to Kenyans. He will not be the first president to serve only one term,” Matiang’i stated.
His remarks came amid continued criticism over the presence of goons and gangs during political activities, with opposition leaders demanding that the government take action to protect citizens.
Munya, who spoke at the same event, shifted attention to the economic hardships facing households, accusing the government of presiding over a high cost of living.
He said a large number of Kenyans were struggling to put food on the table and raised concern over the number of people unable to afford regular meals.
“Kenyans are suffering because of the high cost of living. About 2.5 million Kenyans cannot afford two meals a day,” Munya stated.
Meanwhile, PPK leader Ndindi Nyoro raised a separate concern in Nairobi, alleging that the government could be preparing to place the blame for political violence on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
Nyoro spoke at the PPK party headquarters while receiving delegates from Kajiado County. He said the Police IG should not be held solely responsible for violence witnessed during opposition gatherings, arguing that accountability should extend to the wider security leadership.
“They want to use Douglas Kanja as a scapegoat. The entire security chain, starting with the President, has failed. Murkomen and the President should also resign,” Nyoro stated.
The Kiharu MP also opposed the involvement of criminal groups in political activities, warning that allowing such gangs to operate in politics could threaten national security.
Nyoro said the responsibility of keeping Kenyans safe rests with the government and urged political leaders opposed to Ruto to work together ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
“The government has a responsibility to protect Kenyans,” Nyoro stated.
He further criticised President Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over the handling of political violence, insisting that the responsibility should not be placed on the Inspector General alone.
The separate statements by Matiang’i and Nyoro have added to growing political criticism of the Ruto administration, with both leaders demanding greater accountability over security and calling for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 election.