NAIROBI, Kenya — Politician Morara Kebaso has defended former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i against claims that his tough leadership style would make him a dictator if elected president, arguing that Kenya requires a firm leader capable of tackling corruption and enforcing accountability.
Speaking on Monday, Kebaso dismissed concerns over Matiang’i’s strict approach to leadership, saying strong leadership should not be mistaken for authoritarianism.
“Some of you are saying that he is too strict so he will be a dictator. Do you think you can handle Kenya if you are soft?” Kebaso posed.
“Without even talking about the corruption cartels, the citizens themselves are tough-headed. Kenyans should just accept that they need someone who is strict but will do their job that the citizens will be proud of.”
Backs Matiang’i for 2027
Kebaso argued that Matiang’i is the strongest candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the August 10, 2027 General Election, citing the former Cabinet Secretary’s record in government.
According to Kebaso, the political narratives that shaped previous elections—including the “hustler versus dynasty” debate and claims of fighting the “deep state”—are unlikely to resonate with voters in the next election.
Instead, he said, the contest will revolve around performance and leadership credentials.
Development Record Will Matter
Kebaso said President Ruto is expected to campaign on his administration’s development record, making it necessary for the opposition to field a candidate with demonstrable experience in delivering public programmes.
“Ruto cannot run on the dynasty narrative, sympathy or the church, but he will be telling people what he has done. The unfortunate thing is he has been doing some development but with a lot of theft,” Kebaso said.
“The Opposition should not make a mistake of giving Ruto a competitor who has no development record because he will whitewash him or her in the election.”
He maintained that Matiang’i remains the only opposition figure with a track record that many Kenyans can identify with from his years in government.
Growing Political Debate
Kebaso’s remarks come as political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election continue to take shape, with opposition leaders weighing potential presidential candidates to challenge President Ruto.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Matiang’i has increasingly featured in opposition discussions as a possible presidential contender, with several leaders citing his record in public service as one of his key strengths.