NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i made a thunderous return to the public stage as massive crowds lined the roads of Nyamira County to welcome him home.
With chants, residents gave Matiang’i a hero’s reception, fueling the growing speculation around his 2027 presidential ambitions.
After months away from the limelight—and a quiet return from the United States—Matiang’i stepped back into Kenya’s high-stakes political arena this week.
His Friday tour through the Gusii region includes major stopovers in kisii and Nyamira. Residents turned out in numbers, eager to see the man many now believe could be a top contender in the next general election.
Jubilee’s Endorsement and a Growing Coalition
This public appearance came just days after Matiang’i joined a powerful lineup of opposition leaders—including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and Mukhisa Kituyi—for a closed-door strategy meeting in Nairobi.
It marked the first time Matiang’i appeared alongside Gachagua’s camp, ending months of speculation over where he might align politically.
Governor Amos Nyaribo, a key figure in Matiang’i’s secretariat, praised the former CS’s return and emphasized the significance of this tour.
“Tunaomba watu wajitokeze, wamsalimie. Matiang’i ni mtu wa amani na anataka kuwa rais mwaka wa 2027 lakini kabla hajatangaza lazima apate maoni kutoka nyumbani na kila mahali kwingine,” he said.
Joining Matiang’i were Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Senators Richard Onyonka (Kisii) and Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira), as well as several Members of Parliament and County Assemblies.
The delegation made courtesy calls to the Kisii and Nyamira governors’ offices, signaling a unified regional front as Matiang’i reconnects with the electorate.
While Matiang’i has yet to publicly declare his bid for the presidency, political tea leaves are being read across the nation.
His recent alignment with key opposition figures and the backing of Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party—which has already endorsed him as its 2027 candidate—strongly suggests a candidacy is in the works.
“We, as the Jubilee Party, have our candidate—Fred Matiang’i. He will face off with the others to ensure Ruto goes home,” Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni declared.
During an earlier interview with Weru TV, Gachagua also revealed the opposition’s strategy to unite behind a single presidential candidate. “I am vying for the presidency, as are Martha, Kalonzo, Fred Matiang’i, and Eugene.
But in the end, we’ll rally behind one of us,” he said, adding that the choice would be determined through scientific polling methods.
Matiang’i’s overwhelming reception in Nyamira is a calculated show of strength.
His tour, the upcoming traditional installation ceremony at Gusii Stadium, and his newfound visibility all signal the launch of a broader campaign strategy.
While the former CS hasn’t officially thrown his hat in the ring, this week’s events suggest it’s only a matter of time.
Whether he emerges as the final opposition flagbearer or not, his path to 2027 has officially begun.
