Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i meets Jubilee aspirants in Mombasa on October 5, 2026 / HANDOUTJubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i has met party aspirants from across Mombasa County as the party prepares for the next phase of its political activities.
The meeting was held on Monday afternoon at Bahari Beach Resort in Nyali, where he met the aspirants to discuss the party’s direction.
He said the meeting reaffirmed the party’s commitment to unity, mutual trust and building an inclusive party.
“We reaffirmed our commitment to unity, mutual trust and a strong, inclusive party as we build together for the journey ahead,” Matiang’i said.
Matiang’i began a five-day tour of the Coast set to traverse Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Taita Taveta and Kwale counties in a bid to woo residents to the opposition.
The tour will feature political meetings, engagements with local leaders and residents, opening of Jubilee Party offices and roadside rallies.
Matiang’i’s visit comes just two days after President William Ruto concluded his eight-day tour of the region, setting the stage for renewed political activity ahead of the 2027 general election.
Jubilee officials said the tour will seek to strengthen the party’s presence in a region traditionally regarded as an ODM stronghold.
This is the first time Matiang’i will be visiting the Coast region since his elevation to party leader on September 22.
The handover followed a High Court ruling that barred retired presidents from holding formal leadership positions in political parties beyond six months after leaving office.
Political observers say Matiangi's tour is meant to neutralise Ruto’s charm offensive in the region.
The Coast, currently with 2.2 million registered voters according to the IEBC, and with a potential to have four million registered voters, is a significant hunting ground for presidential candidates.
Ruto dished out more than 200,000 title deeds in the region in his latest tour, in a bid to solve the perennial squatter problem.
However, Jubilee deputy party leader in charge of strategy Beatrice Gambo denied that Matiang’i’s visit has anything to do with Ruto.
“Our visit was not pegged on Ruto’s visit. It is a visit that has been pending and had been planned way before. It is not guided by whether Ruto came or not. Even if Ruto would still have been here, we would still proceed with our visit,” Gambo said.
He said the Coast tour is part of the larger Jubilee strategy to visit the whole country to popularise the party and 'set the record straight about many lies' that are being peddled against the party.
Matiang’i will be opening several party offices in Kilifi, Tana River and Taita Taveta counties.
Already, the party has toured Narok, Nakuru, Kisii, Bomet and Migori counties.
“This is the first of many visits to come,” she told the Star on the phone on Sunday.
