Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has hit back at President William Ruto following remarks perceived as body-shaming, escalating a war of words between the two leaders.
Speaking at a public event, Matiang’i dismissed the criticism, saying his personal lifestyle should not be a subject of political debate.
“I don’t know why you are complaining about my food because I don’t eat for your wife. I have never seen you go to look for food for your wife or for your people,” Matiang’i said.
He added: “I eat for my family, and that is my responsibility. Why should you be concerned about how I live my life?”
Matiang’i further accused the President of diverting attention from key national issues, urging leaders to focus on governance and service delivery instead of personal attacks.
“We have a great responsibility to uphold the standards set by those who came before us—Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. That is the standard we expect in the office of the President,” he said.
The former CS also raised concerns over land issues and economic challenges facing Kenyans, suggesting that such matters should take priority in national discourse.
“Instead of focusing on the problems affecting Kenyans, you want to talk about trivial matters. When we begin discussing who has grabbed land in places like Narok, do you want us to ignore that and focus on irrelevant issues?” he posed.
Matiang’i also questioned the state of the economy, pointing to the struggles faced by ordinary citizens.
“People are struggling every day. You can see it even this morning—Kenyans are trying to survive, yet leaders want us to engage in petty debates,” he said.
His remarks come amid rising political tensions, with leaders increasingly trading sharp public statements as the country’s political landscape heats up.
