By Mwibanda | Friday, 16 May 2025 – 3:03 pm
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has clarified a statement he made regarding the shooting of four suspected gang members in Nakuru in July 2022, asserting that it was taken out of context. This clarification follows the airing of Murder Tapes, Butchers of Nakuru, a documentary by NTV on May 15, which portrayed Matiang’i as if he supported the police action against the four men.
In the documentary, Matiang’i was quoted as saying, “We are going to engage these people and we will deploy presidential fire and force, and no one should lecture me about human rights.” These remarks were reportedly made in the context of the police operation that led to the deaths of the four men.
However, the documentary criticized the police action, alleging that the men, who were said to have been handcuffed, were shot in the head and chest. It also claimed the police had fabricated the details surrounding the deaths.
In response, Matiang’i’s team issued a statement on Friday, May 16, insisting that his comments had been misunderstood. “Dr. Matiang’i’s statement, as aired in the documentary, was taken out of context. He is a staunch believer in human rights and the rule of law,” the Team Matiang’i Secretariat emphasized.
The shooting took place a month after Matiang’i appointed Peter Mwanzo as the Nakuru County Police Commander. On July 14, 2022, the four men were killed during an operation in Kwa Maiko village, Nakuru West sub-county. Police claimed the men had been ambushed by plainclothes officers while attempting to flee during the early-morning operation. Authorities further stated that additional suspects had escaped with gunshot wounds.
Mwanzo had identified the four men as members of the Nyuki Squad, a criminal gang linked to violent robberies in Nakuru. However, the documentary questioned these claims, suggesting the deaths might have been part of a cover-up.
The Matiang’i Secretariat reiterated the former CS’s commitment to human rights and expressed empathy for the victims’ families. The Secretariat also acknowledged the ongoing investigation by the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) into the incident, emphasizing the need for transparency and justice.
Furthermore, the Secretariat pointed to Matiang’i’s extensive record in public service, highlighting his efforts in security reforms, education sector improvements, and digital transformation during his tenure as Interior CS.
As Kenya approaches the election period, the Secretariat urged the media to avoid political bias, emphasizing the importance of accurate and balanced reporting on such sensitive issues.
During the operation, police also reported recovering 30 arrows, SIM cards, phones, crude weapons, and bhang (cannabis), which they claimed had been planted near the suspects’ neighborhood in Kelelwet, Nakuru West.
