NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions are facing growing political headwinds as some of his allies increasingly shift their support towards Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other opposition figures.
When Matiang’i declared his intention to seek the presidency, he quickly assembled a formidable political network, particularly within the Gusii community, where several influential leaders rallied behind his bid.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi emerged among his most vocal supporters as they helped build what became known as ‘Project Matiang’i’.
The campaign gained significant momentum following the June 2024 Gen Z demonstrations, which reshaped Kenya’s political landscape and created space for new opposition formations.
However, about two years into the campaign, the political network around Matiang’i is showing signs of strain.
Onyonka backs Sifuna
One of the clearest signs of the shifting political landscape is the changing position of Senator Onyonka, who was previously among Matiang’i’s most visible political lieutenants.
Onyonka has now openly endorsed Sifuna for President while maintaining that he still supports Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions.
“Sifuna is a godsend. He is not fighting to become President. Kenyans want him to be President,” Onyonka said on Tuesday.
The endorsement is not new.
During a Linda Mwananchi rally in Taita Taveta last month, Onyonka described Sifuna as “my younger brother, my leader and the incoming President”.
The remarks carry political significance because Onyonka played a central role in Matiang’i’s efforts to consolidate support in the Gusii region.
He was among the leaders who received Matiang’i at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and accompanied him during his early political engagements.
His growing association with Sifuna therefore represents a notable shift within a political network that was once closely identified with Matiang’i.
Kibagendi signals growing Sifuna momentum
Other politicians previously associated with Matiang’i’s political network are also increasingly appearing alongside Sifuna.
Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi, together with Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo and Bomachoge Borabu MP Obadiah Barongo, are members of the Linda Mwananchi movement.
On Tuesday, Kibagendi shared an unverified presidential opinion poll that placed Sifuna ahead of other leading contenders.
The poll gave Sifuna 27 per cent, followed by President William Ruto at 21 per cent. Matiang’i was placed at 17 per cent, while Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka had 15 per cent.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua was placed at seven per cent, while six per cent favoured other candidates and 14 per cent remained undecided.
The poll has not been independently commissioned or scientifically verified, meaning its findings should not be treated as a definitive measure of national presidential support.
However, Kibagendi’s decision to publicly share figures placing Sifuna ahead of Matiang’i provides another indication of the senator’s growing political visibility among some leaders who were previously associated with Matiang’i.
At another Linda Mwananchi rally in Taita Taveta, Kibagendi described Sifuna as qualified to become President.
He also delivered greetings from Matiang’i and said the former CS was ready to work with Sifuna.
Munya welcomes Sifuna to Meru
Former Cabinet Secretary and ex-Meru Governor Peter Munya has also appeared to signal support for Sifuna’s expanding political network.
On Tuesday, Munya shared a poster welcoming Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi team to Meru.
“Omwami Edwin W Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi team; Karibu Meru, Karibu Mlima Kenya,” Munya said.
The development comes as Sifuna expands his grassroots engagements beyond Nairobi and seeks to position himself as a national political figure ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna gains while Matiang’i loses ground
Recent opinion polling also points to a changing political landscape.
A Tifa survey cited in the political debate showed Sifuna’s support rising from virtually zero in November 2025 to 15 per cent in June 2026.
Matiang’i, meanwhile, saw his support decline to 14 per cent, after briefly reaching 32 per cent in May 2025.
The figures suggest that Matiang’i’s early momentum has not been sustained at the same level, while Sifuna has emerged as a more prominent figure in the opposition political space.
However, polling numbers alone do not determine electoral outcomes, particularly this far ahead of the 2027 election.
Matiang’i camp faces pressure from Gachagua
Matiang’i’s political challenges are not limited to Sifuna.
Some figures within the broader opposition camp have also moved closer to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
Former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, who had been among Matiang’i’s outspoken defenders, has publicly shifted towards Gachagua’s camp.
Orwoba previously lost her position after supporting Matiang’i and later criticised what she described as operational failures within his political camp.
Her shift highlights the fluid nature of Kenya’s opposition politics, where alliances and loyalties continue to change as politicians position themselves ahead of 2027.
Jubilee defections add pressure
The wider political environment has also created challenges for Matiang’i’s political allies.
This week, 14 of Nairobi County’s 17 constituency party chairpersons reportedly defected from Jubilee to DCP, including Nairobi County chairperson Stanley Kamore.
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, who was elected on a Jubilee ticket, also joined DCP.
Jubilee’s struggles are significant because the party remains part of the broader opposition political calculations in which Matiang’i is seeking to establish himself as a leading presidential contender.
The movement of political actors between opposition parties could make it harder for individual presidential hopefuls to maintain stable grassroots networks.
Pauline Njoroge joins Sifuna camp
Another notable development was the decision by blogger Pauline Njoroge to join Sifuna.
Njoroge has been associated with former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s political circles and her move adds another recognisable figure to Sifuna’s growing political network.
The developments point to an increasingly crowded opposition field ahead of 2027, with Sifuna, Matiang’i, Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka among the figures seeking to consolidate support.
