Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has intervened in the ongoing dispute involving Mt Kenya political bloggers, warning that the digital confrontations risk weakening the opposition’s cohesion ahead of future electoral battles.
His remarks were conveyed through Jubilee Party deputy organising secretary Pauline Njoroge, who shared details of their Saturday evening conversation after critiquing the rising factionalism online.
Matiang’i sought to distance himself from individuals presenting themselves as his online allies, telling Njoroge that he had not commissioned any bloggers to speak on his behalf.
He expressed concern that some accounts appeared to praise him in one instance and attack fellow opposition leaders in another, a pattern he termed misleading and harmful to broader political cooperation.
According to Njoroge, the former CS described the behaviour as projecting an unnecessary rivalry within the opposition.
The intervention comes at a time when Mt Kenya remains a critical political battleground, with shifting alliances shaping national debates.
Recent mini-polls and internal party realignments have intensified digital activity across the region, echoing similar online battles witnessed in the lead-up to the 2017 and 2022 general elections.
Njoroge reported that Matiang’i urged continued scrutiny of bloggers provoking internal disputes, arguing that some were likely serving external political interests.
She quoted him saying that no one could credibly associate themselves with his political stance while antagonising colleagues working within the same opposition framework.
His comments reflect a broader concern within opposition circles about maintaining message discipline as the Kenya Kwanza administration consolidates its foothold in Mt Kenya.
To illustrate his position, Matiang’i referenced a recent public rally where he stopped a ward representative from insulting another leader over ideological differences.
Njoroge said he pointed to the incident as evidence of his rejection of divisive political tactics, noting that he does not support confrontational politics within the opposition.
Before sharing the details of their discussion, Njoroge said she sought Matiang’i’s approval, which he granted, stating that the behaviour needed to be addressed.
His intervention adds pressure on opposition leaders to rein in intensified digital conflicts, especially as coalition-building efforts continue ahead of the next electoral cycle.