Work and stop blaming the opposition, Matiang’i, Wamuchomba tell President Ruto and team
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary and presidential hopefully Dr. Fred Matiang’i and Githunguri legislator Gathoni Wamuchomba have told the government to stop blaming the opposition over the recent Gen-Z led protests and instead initiate dialogue.
Speaking in Kiambu county after attending a Sunday church service at the PCEA Thika Church today, the two leaders told President William Ruto and his Cabinet to stop the chest-thumbing and champion peace by calling for a national dialogue.
Matiang’i, a former Interior Cabinet Secretary in retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government, said the anger and violence among Kenyans is unprecedented and the government has no choice but to come to the negotiating table with disgruntled Kenyans.
“What is happening in the country right now is not usual stuff. The cycle of violence and disagreements has to come to an end. Our leaders, especially those in government who have consequential powers to convene should bring the people together and find a solution,” he said.
He said it is unfortunate that those in power had attempted to trivialize last Wednesday’s deadly protest by claiming that the protesters were ferried from Central Kenya counties and attempting to blame it on one community.
“The things we have heard are very worrying, for someone to say people were from Murang’a and Nyeri to cause violence in other areas, that’s worse than a joke. How can we trivialize such a serious national crisis?” Matiang’i posed.
He told those in leadership that it’s time to grab the moment and offer solutions, maintaining that government officials should stop crying at the people and act in accordance with what is expected of them.
“Our country is clearly headed in the wrong direction and we can all see it. So this is a patriotic moment to cross ranks and accepting that there is a problem and we have a challenge does not make you less important or make you a small person, neither does it reduce your power of your office,” said Matiang’i in an apparent reference to President Ruto’s uncompromising stand.
Wamuchomba reiterated that ordering the police to shoot protesters will only worsen the situation and instead told those in government to seek peaceful ways to end the crisis.
“Guns, teargas and blame games will not change anything or give any solution. The only way to get out of the prevailing situation is dialogue,” said the legislator.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Church Minister Rev Daniel Kamau Nderitu, who said those in the country’s leadership should be peace makers and not warmongers.
The cleric also asked the government to listen to the youth and other Kenyans, but not suppress or kill them while expressing their grievances over governance issues.
