Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has reignited debate surrounding the unresolved River Yala killings, insisting that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i must be held accountable before considering a bid for the presidency. While no formal petition has been filed by Cherargei, his remarks echo growing political pressure from leaders who argue that the former CS should not be allowed to seek the country’s top seat without facing scrutiny over the unexplained deaths and disappearances that occurred during his tenure.
Cherargei claimed that the bodies discovered in River Yala during Matiang’i’s time in office raise serious questions about state-sponsored extrajudicial killings. According to him, Kenyans deserve clear answers, and anyone seeking the presidency must first demonstrate clean hands regarding human rights violations. He argued that the investigations into the killings stalled under Matiang’i’s leadership and that victims’ families are still waiting for justice.
His sentiments align with a wider push by some political players who accuse the former CS of presiding over a security system that allowed enforced disappearances, torture, and unexplained deaths. These leaders believe that permitting Matiang’i to contest for the presidency would ignore the pain of families affected by the River Yala tragedy. They insist that political ambition should not overshadow unresolved national injustices.
Supporters of the former CS, however, maintain that Matiang’i is being targeted for political reasons. They argue that he had already directed investigative agencies to look into the matter before leaving office and that the issue should be handled through legal and investigative institutions — not political declarations. They accuse rival leaders of weaponizing the River Yala killings to block Matiang’i’s 2027 ambitions.
The debate highlights the growing tension as political alignments for the 2027 elections take shape. While critics demand accountability, Matiang’i’s allies insist on due process and fairness. The River Yala killings remain a dark chapter in Kenya’s security history, and how the political class chooses to address them may greatly influence public trust ahead of the next presidential contest.
