Looming showdown as Matiang’i jets back, to declare presidential bid

A political showdown is looming after former powerful Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i returned to the country from the USA, amid plans to announce his presidential bid, which could complicate matters for the key political formations.

The former powerful minister landed at JKIA minutes before midnight on Thursday to a low-key reception by Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, and his nominated colleague Gloria Orwoba.

Matiang’i, who served as CS in three ministries, including Interior, Education, and ICT during ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, has been in the US for several months.

This comes as word spread back home about his presidential bid, with Uhuru’s party, Jubilee, declaring him its candidate to face off against President William Ruto in the 2027 polls. 

Speaking to the Star on Friday, the leaders who welcomed Matiang’i at the airport remained tight-lipped about his immediate plans and the timing of his bid announcement.

Kioni and Orwoba stated they were unaware of his plans; instead, they mentioned a scheduled meeting where the former vocal CS would unveil his intentions.

“Not yet. We will sit to plan. Once we plan, you will get to know,” Kioni said when asked about Matiangi’s declaration of his presidential bid.

“But I think the long and short of it is that people have been asking, when does he declare? So, he is here to tell us or to confirm to Kenyans what he has prepared,” he added.

The former Ndaragua MP said he was not aware whether Matiang’i had come back permanently or he would go back to the US.

“I still don't know his plans. I was informed that he was coming, and because I am a Kisii and Matiang’i is a leader from Gusii, I had to go welcome him,” Orwoba said.

The UDA-nominated legislator said she was ready to hear the plans Matiang’i has for Gusii and the country at large, adding that she was bipartisan on the whole issue.

“I don’t think that we can do politics that does not allow you to talk to other people. I want to run for Bobasi MP, and I will go where I am needed,” she disclosed.

Speculations about Matiang’i’s presidential bid spread during the Gen Z protests that rocked the country in June, July and August last year.

The youthful protesters pushed for his return to the country to face off with President Ruto, whose administration they accused of excessive taxes, corruption and wastage.

“Matiang’i, you either come out or we come for you. We need you for President in 2027 na sio tafadhali [and we are not remorseful about it],” Gen Zs posted online.

Later, the Jubilee Party declared him as its candidate for the country’s big seat.

Matiang’i, known for his tough stance on security, governance, and civil service discipline, was one of the most influential members of the Uhuru Cabinet and was often viewed as the Mr Fix It during his tenure.

On several occasions, Kioni, seen as Uhuru’s political proxy, has intensified efforts to endorse Matiang’i.

“We have settled on Matiang'i as our candidate. Not to mean that he becomes an eventual presidential candidate, but a presidential candidate within the party who would then join others in coming up with one person who I believe as a coalition we will be able to back,” Kioni previously said.

Jubilee deputy party leader Joseph Manje corroborated Kioni’s assertions on Matiang’i.

“We endorsed him as the Jubilee Party candidate. He performed well, transformed the country’s education sector, and we believe he can replicate that,” Manje said in February.

A section of Kisii leaders, including Senator Onyonka, have also publicly endorsed his presidential candidature.

“We have decided that as a community and as Kenyans, we are also going to set up our political party and we are going to produce our candidate who will negotiate with the President and all other people who are running for political office, and that candidate is Fred Matiang'i,” Onyonka said last month.

However, the United Progressive Alliance – a Nyamira-based party linked to Matiang’i - has also been pushing to have Matiang'i as its presidential candidate.

Last month, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo said he would surrender the leadership of the party to Matiang’i upon his return.

However, despite the speculations and the apparent rush to win over Matiang’i, the former CS has remained tight-lipped, with speculations that he would announce his bid upon return.

Matiang’i has largely kept a low profile since the Kenya Kwanza government took over after the 2022 General Election.

His announcement to run for the seat, as widely expected, would complicate the political arithmetic for the leading political figures and formations.

The bid would likely destabilise the traditional bases of opposition chief Raila Odinga, who has since teamed up with President William Ruto in the broad-based government.

Raila has for decades outsmarted his rivals in the vote-rich Gusii region, a situation that could reverse if Matiang’i declares his bid.

This would deal a blow to President Ruto, who hoped to inherit Raila’s political base to guarantee his re-election in the 2027 polls.

Matiang’i’s bid would also hit the opposition formation led by impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.

With the support of former President Kenyatta, Matiang’i’s bid is likely to encroach on key bases that the Gachagua-Kalonzo axis hoped to ringfence.

They include the vote-rich Mt Kenya region, which Gachagua has been seeking to place under lock and key, following his impeachment as Deputy President in November last year.

The emergence of Matiang’i as a potential candidate — apparently with Uhuru’s backing — introduces a dynamic that could divide the opposition formation.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Former CS Fred Matiang’i was the de facto super minister in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration. He talked tough on governance, security and civil service, winning over the hearts of many Kenyans. During the Gen Z protests, his name emerged among the favourites for President, with some Kenyans demanding his return to face off with President Ruto in the 2027 polls. With his return, Matiang’i is expected to declare his bid in what could change the country’s political terrain.