NAIROBI, Kenya — Lawyer Danstan Omari has expressed support for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s 2027 presidential ambitions, saying he respects the Jubilee presidential candidate and hopes he succeeds in his bid for State House.
Speaking during a local radio interview on Monday, September 21, 2026, Omari said he held Matiang’i in high regard and wished him well in his quest for the presidency.
“Namheshimu Matiang’i na namuombea apate kiti, lakini atakipata?” Omari said.
The remarks come as political activity around the 2027 General Election intensifies, with opposition parties and political movements holding consultations over possible alliances and the eventual presidential race.
Omari Backs Matiang’i’s Bid
Omari, who has previously represented Matiang’i in legal matters, said his support was rooted in his personal regard for the former CS.
Matiang’i was appointed Jubilee Party’s deputy party leader in October 2025, when the party’s National Executive Council also endorsed him as its presidential flag bearer for the 2027 election.
The former Interior CS has since featured prominently in discussions around the opposition’s efforts to settle on a presidential candidate.
Recent consultations have included Matiang’i and other opposition figures as parties explore ways of building a broader political alliance ahead of the election.
A Shift From Omari’s Earlier Position
Omari’s latest remarks represent a change from his public position earlier this month.
Omari argued at the time that Matiang’i lacked the political numbers required to secure the presidency and claimed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta had shifted his support towards Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
His latest comments instead emphasise his personal support for Matiang’i while posing a question about whether the former CS can translate that support into the numbers required to win the presidency.
Matiang’i’s Presidential Campaign
Matiang’i has positioned himself as Jubilee’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
His official profile records his acceptance of the Jubilee presidential nomination in October 2025.
He has also said that any effort to identify a joint opposition presidential candidate should be based on a transparent and inclusive process.
In June, Matiang’i said the opposition’s agenda should extend beyond removing President William Ruto and focus on what he described as broader governance issues.
The National Numbers Challenge
Any candidate seeking the presidency must meet the constitutional threshold set out in Article 138 of the Constitution.
A candidate must secure more than half of all votes cast nationally and at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in at least 24 of Kenya’s 47 counties.
That requirement means presidential campaigns must build support beyond individual regional strongholds and assemble a sufficiently broad national coalition.
Matiang’i’s political challenge therefore includes consolidating his support within Jubilee while also navigating the wider opposition negotiations over alliances and a possible joint presidential ticket.
From Legal Representation to Political Debate
Omari has previously represented Matiang’i during some of the former CS’s most politically sensitive moments.
In 2023, the lawyer defended Matiang’i during investigations surrounding an alleged police operation at his Karen residence. Omari publicly challenged the handling of the matter while representing his client.
His latest comments add another dimension to their longstanding association as Matiang’i seeks to expand his political profile ahead of the 2027 election.
