In a sharp comeback that has since lit up social media, Matiang'i swerved the conversation from his weight to what he terms the "hollow promises" and economic hardship plaguing ordinary Kenyans under the current administration.
The war of words was ignited when President Ruto, during a recent public address, took a swipe at Dr. Matiang'i's slimmed-down figure, implying the former CS was anxious and restless after leaving power.
However, Matiang'i was quick to respond, stating in Kiswahili, "Hujaniona nikienda kutafuta chakula kwa bibi yako.
Mbona mimi sijakuuliza kwa nini umekonda?" loosely translating to, "You haven't seen me going to your grandmother's house looking for food. Why haven't I asked you why you are so thin?"
The implication was clear: while Ruto focuses on personal insults, Matiang'i is focused on substance.
He turned the tables by contrasting his own situation with that of the President, suggesting that while he (Matiang'i) is independent and self-sufficient, the President appears "thin" on delivery, having failed to put food on the table for the millions who voted for him.
This sentiment directly mirrors a pointed message Matiang'i shared on his official Facebook page recently. In a post that appeared to be directed at the political elite, he warned that "Leadership is not about inflaming passions but about solving problems.
If you cannot fix the price of flour, do not mock the man who fixed the security sector." His allies have amplified this message, arguing that the former CS spent his tenure securing the country, while the current regime struggles to secure basic commodities.
Political analysts suggest this exchange signals the deepening rift between the two leaders as the 2027 elections loom.
Matiang'i, who has kept a relatively low profile since leaving office, is signaling that he is ready to engage on issues that matter to the common mwananchi.
By flipping the script from personal appearance to national performance, he is positioning himself as a leader focused on the struggles of the people, not the frivolities of politics.
As the cost of living remains a hot topic, Matiang'i's words have resonated with a public eager for leaders who understand their daily grind. The ball is now in the President's court to respond to the substance, rather than the style, of the opposition.