Matiang’i Dismisses Ruto’s Call for National Dialogue as a Diversion from Governance Failures

By Monyonge Kebati

Jubilee Party presidential candidate Dr. Fred Matiang’i has criticized President William Ruto’s proposal for a national conversation on Kenya’s development beyond Vision 2030, describing it as a misplaced priority that distracts from what he termed pressing governance and constitutional issues.
In a statement issued on Friday, Matiang’i argued that the country should first address what he called violations of the Constitution, insecurity, and weakening of public institutions before embarking on discussions about Kenya’s long-term development agenda.
He accused the President of failing to curb rising insecurity, alleging that motorists are increasingly being attacked on major highways, worshippers targeted in places of worship, and political leaders assaulted during public rallies without those responsible being brought to justice.
Matiang’i also claimed that state institutions have become weakened and overly dependent on the Executive. He cited remarks attributed to former National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u as evidence of what he described as the erosion of institutional independence.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary further questioned whether the government has demonstrated sufficient respect for independent institutions to lead a credible national dialogue. He also pointed to what he described as a growing trust deficit, citing unfulfilled commitments under the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process and the Broad-Based Government arrangement.
Despite his criticism, Matiang’i urged Kenyans not to lose hope, expressing confidence that the country would have an opportunity to chart a new course through the 2027 General Election.
President Ruto has proposed a national conversation to shape Kenya’s development agenda after the expiry of Vision 2030, saying the dialogue should help define the country’s next phase of economic and social transformation.