Gem MP Odhiambo seeks to bar Fred Matiang’i from vying for presidency over River Yala killings

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is staring at a potential legal battle after Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo announced plans to petition the courts to bar him from running for president, citing his alleged role in the River Yala killings.

Speaking recently during a TV interview, Matiangi distanced himself from the alleged cover-up of the 2021 River Yala killings, insisting that investigations were still ongoing when he left office and that the matter should now be addressed through a public inquest.

He dismissed the accusations as politically motivated, arguing that blaming him for the deaths was like holding him responsible for unrelated incidents such as road accidents or robberies.

However, the Gem MP contends that the state-sponsored killings and body disposals that took place during Matiang’i’s tenure justify legal action and should disqualify him from holding public office.

Odhiambo, in a statement, said he is finalising a legal petition that seeks to hold the former Interior CS personally responsible for the extrajudicial killings that saw bodies dumped in River Yala, some allegedly during the run-up to the 2022 General Election.

“As MP for Gem, I had a meeting with lawyers last night, having listened to the statement of Matiang’i confirming that a number of Kenyans who were butchered were thrown in the River Yala. We are going to petition the court so that we can hold him culpable as an individual for having thrown bodies in River Yala so that he can be accountable as a former holder of the Interior office,” the MP said.

'Reign of terror'

He accused Matiangi of overseeing what he described as a “reign of terror” that inflicted humanitarian and environmental harm in parts of his constituency.

Odhiambo cited human rights reports, particularly by Amnesty International, that documented the discovery of over 40 bodies between July 2021 and January 2022, with at least 31 found in River Yala, which runs through Gem constituency.

“You are also aware, and this is a matter of public knowledge, that following a series of autopsy reports, many bodies had clear signs of torture, strangulation and bullet wounds, an indication that the individuals underwent extremely brutal torture and executions,” he said.

“In all these extra-judicial disappearances and murders, Dr Matiang’i was the Cabinet Secretary in charge of internal security and cannot therefore escape accountability. The families of all those who were brutally murdered and dumped in River Yala are yet to get justice as Dr. Matiang’i is walking free without any answer to these very chilling occurrences that took place under his watch.”

Psychological trauma

Odhiambo said the people of Gem, many of whom rely on River Yala, continue to carry the psychological trauma of those events. He revealed ongoing consultations with legal experts to determine a suitable path forward.

“On behalf of the people of Gem, I’m having a discussion with my legal team to come up with the best avenue to have Dr. Matiang’i held accountable for his role in the extra-judicial killings and dumping of bodies in River Yala during his tenure as Cabinet Secretary for Interior,” he said.

He added that potential actions could include summoning Matiang’i before the National Assembly, launching a public inquest, and urging the Director of Public Prosecutions to file mass murder charges against him and other implicated officials, including members of the disbanded Special Services Unit (SSU).

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• extrajudicial killings
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• River Yala killings
• Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo
• Gem MP Odhiambo seeks to bar Fred Matiang’i from vying for presidency over River Yala killings
• Politics

“We may consider summoning him to the National Assembly to clarify the role he played. We may also initiate a Commission of Inquiry to publicly shed light on his actions and inactions… Further, we are considering putting pressure on the DPP to institute mass murder charges against Dr Matiang’i and all who worked with him,” Odhiambo said.

In defence of PS Raymond Omollo

Odhiambo also came to the defence of Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, praising his performance and leadership in internal security reforms.

“I wish to state that for a very long time, we have not had a professionally and competently dedicated Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration as Dr Raymond Omollo,” the MP said.

He lauded Omollo’s efforts in enhancing national security, advocating for better conditions for National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), pushing police salary reviews, and advancing meaningful police reforms.

“It is, therefore, unfortunate, dishonest and alarming that some Members of Parliament allied to the former DP Rigathi Gachagua can cast aspersions on the conduct and performance of PS Raymond Omollo,” he said.

He called on politicians to keep Omollo out of partisan battles, noting that the PS has focused purely on his mandate without engaging in political theatrics.

The MP also praised the National Intelligence Service for adopting new levels of transparency and civic engagement, citing a public lecture led by NIS Director-General Noordin Haji on March 27, 2025.

“It is therefore dishonest for the former DP Rigathi Gachagua to question the professionalism of the NIS and scar the agency with his endless political bile,” Odhiambo said.