NYAMIRA, Kenya – The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) has endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
During a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Nyamira on Wednesday, UPA leaders unanimously agreed to field Matiang’i, a key figure in retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, as their flagbearer.
Matiang’i is said to have quietly returned to Kenya recently after spending the past two years in the United States.
UPA Secretary General Jacob Bagaka described the endorsement as a strategic move that reflects Matiang’i’s growing popularity.
“We don’t have any fear of contradiction that Dr. Matiang’i’s influence across the country is indisputable,” Bagaka said.
He added that UPA is preparing to launch an aggressive campaign to expand its reach beyond its stronghold in the Gusii region.
“We are ready to hit the ground running to position UPA as a formidable national force,” Bagaka emphasized.
Nyamira Governor Amoss Nyaribo, who doubles as UPA’s party leader, expressed confidence in the party’s growth trajectory ahead of 2027.
He revealed ongoing discussions with other Gusii-based political parties to form alliances that will strengthen the region’s political bargaining power.
“UPA leadership is actively engaging like-minded parties to create a formidable coalition that can propel Matiang’i to the presidency,” Nyaribo said.
Matiang’i, a co-founder of UPA, had been viewed as a key player in the 2022 elections before aligning himself with Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja coalition, which lost to President William Ruto.
UPA emerged from the polls with modest gains, including one governor, one MP, and 18 MCAs nationwide.
While Matiang’i has not officially declared his candidacy, speculation has been rife about his return to the political arena to challenge President Ruto.
UPA’s decision to rally behind Matiang’i positions him as a potential contender to unite both regional and national interests.
During a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Nyamira on Wednesday, UPA leaders unanimously agreed to field Matiang’i, a key figure in retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, as their flagbearer.
Matiang’i is said to have quietly returned to Kenya recently after spending the past two years in the United States.
UPA Secretary General Jacob Bagaka described the endorsement as a strategic move that reflects Matiang’i’s growing popularity.
“We don’t have any fear of contradiction that Dr. Matiang’i’s influence across the country is indisputable,” Bagaka said.
He added that UPA is preparing to launch an aggressive campaign to expand its reach beyond its stronghold in the Gusii region.
“We are ready to hit the ground running to position UPA as a formidable national force,” Bagaka emphasized.
Nyamira Governor Amoss Nyaribo, who doubles as UPA’s party leader, expressed confidence in the party’s growth trajectory ahead of 2027.
He revealed ongoing discussions with other Gusii-based political parties to form alliances that will strengthen the region’s political bargaining power.
“UPA leadership is actively engaging like-minded parties to create a formidable coalition that can propel Matiang’i to the presidency,” Nyaribo said.
Matiang’i, a co-founder of UPA, had been viewed as a key player in the 2022 elections before aligning himself with Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja coalition, which lost to President William Ruto.
UPA emerged from the polls with modest gains, including one governor, one MP, and 18 MCAs nationwide.
While Matiang’i has not officially declared his candidacy, speculation has been rife about his return to the political arena to challenge President Ruto.
UPA’s decision to rally behind Matiang’i positions him as a potential contender to unite both regional and national interests.
