NAIROBI, Kenya – The Jubilee Party has formally endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i as its presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election — a move that marks the party’s boldest attempt yet to reassert its place in Kenya’s shifting political landscape.
The decision was reached during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held this week, the first since Jubilee’s National Delegates Conference earlier this year.
Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni announced that the NEC had unanimously approved Dr. Matiang’i’s application to run for president on a Jubilee ticket.
“We have received and formally accepted Dr. Fred Matiang’i’s application for his presidential bid, and the NEC has agreed that he carries our flag,” Mr Kioni said.
In a parallel move to consolidate leadership, the NEC also appointed Dr. Matiang’i as Jubilee’s Deputy Party Leader — a role that immediately positions him at the heart of the party’s strategy and engagement within the opposition bloc.
“We have appointed Dr. Fred Matiang’i as our Deputy Party Leader going forward,” Mr Kioni said, adding that the former CS will represent Jubilee “in the united opposition.”
The Secretary General noted that the meeting also tackled the party’s internal structure and strategy, with a renewed focus on revitalizing grassroots operations ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We were able to deal with key issues of structure and strategy that we want to take as a party. We now move out to revamp our party, open branches, and reach out to our members and new members,” he said, adding that more activities will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
The NEC also filled several vacant leadership positions, naming Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama as the party’s Whip in the National Assembly and Senator James Lomenen as Whip in the Senate.
In a gesture of solidarity, the party extended condolences to ODM leader Raila Odinga’s family following the death of Mama Ida Odinga.
“Jubilee Party extends our condolences to the family of Mama Ida Odinga. We stand with the family,” Kioni said.
Kioni also hinted that the party may revisit its partnership within the Azimio la Umoja coalition, though he cautioned that any move to quit the alliance would carry legal consequences for some Jubilee legislators.
“We are reviewing our relationship with Azimio. However, quitting has legal implications for our members in Parliament,” he said.
Jubilee’s endorsement of Dr. Matiang’i — who has largely kept a low political profile since leaving government in 2022 — signals a strategic attempt to reposition the once-dominant party, which has struggled to maintain influence in the post-Uhuru Kenyatta era.
