Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has called off a much-anticipated tour of Mt Kenya, sparking speculation about deeper political undercurrents surrounding his entry into active politics.
The three-day tour, scheduled to start on Thursday in Embu and Meru counties, was abruptly cancelled in what his team publicly described as a precautionary measure, following intelligence reports of a planned disruption.
Sources claimed hired goons had been mobilised to attack Matiang’i’s entourage and stir chaos.
However, insiders say the cancellation may have had less to do with security logistics and more with internal opposition dynamics.
There are indications that a section of opposition figures felt the tour, perceived as a soft-launch of Matiang’i’s 2027 ambitions, risked projecting disunity—especially in the absence of a broader, united front.
According to sources close to Matiang’i, the former CS was scheduled to hold a series of meetings with clergy, grassroots leaders and opinion shapers, with the gatherings framed as part of a “listening mission.”
But political observers and rivals had already branded the tour a thinly veiled presidential campaign maneuver.
PNU party leader and close ally of Matiang’i Peter Munya clamed state operatives had mobilised militia groups to infiltrate and disrupt the meetings.
“We are postponing these meetings for now because we don’t want to give them an excuse to infiltrate our gatherings and cause mayhem,” Munya said. “Elements in government are directly involved in the planned violence.”
The cancellation comes days after goons attacked opposition convoy in Chwele, Bungoma county where the team led by former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka were to address a rally.
The decision also comes on the backdrop of another cancelled rally last month where the united opposition was to tour Matiang’i’s Kisii and Nyamira backyards.
However, the plan was shelved at the eleventh hour after tension started building earlier in the week, raising fears of potential confrontation and threats of disruption.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati lifted the lid on the simmering tension when he warned Gachagua not to set foot in the county.
“We don’t want someone coming from outside and telling us we must move in a certain direction. I heard they were planning to hold a meeting here dubbed one-term, let him take the message elsewhere,” Arati fired at Gachagua on Tuesday.
“Hon Gachagua, I respect you, but you must give us respect in Kisii. We will deal with you as equals.”
Arati would later retract his statement, but the damage was already done – the rally was cancelled.
“I spoke and people took my words out of context. I was with Gachagua in the 12th Parliament and he is my friend. I want us to walk as one people, knowing where we are coming from and where we are headed,” he said the following day.
“He has done a difficult job, to make Ruto listen to people. Things have become hard for Ruto after Gachagua was impeached. There are things only Gachagua can talk about in this country. There are cowards and Gachagua is not one of them. He should now come to our side,. We don't have candidates for President at the moment."
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who returned to Kenya on June 18 following his resignation from the World Bank, has been making joint public appearances with the other opposition team as they popularize their new unity. The former powerful CS had planned his first solo trip to Mt. Kenya East of Embu and Meru counties to sell his bid.
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