Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has lined up a series of meetings with political and Church leaders as he embarks on his bid for the presidency in 2027.

The former powerful CS in the President Uhuru Kenyatta government has reportedly ruled out engaging in open campaigns, which his handlers say is too early, but is also scheduled to hold discussions with the youth and various stakeholders.

Matiang’i arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on the Thursday night, aboard a Qatar Airways flight from the US and was met by Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and a handful of his supporters.

However, he did not address them or the media at JKIA only pointing out that he will have an opportunity to engage them in future.
“…alafu tutapata nafasi ya kuongea sisi sote pamoja (we’ll have time to talk together),” Matiang’i told his supporters at the airport.
Matiang’i’s return comes amid growing speculation about his potential candidacy in the 2027 presidential elections.

The Jubilee Party has officially endorsed him as its presidential candidate. “We as the Jubilee Party have our own candidate, Fred Matiang’i. He will face off with the others to ensure Ruto goes home,” Kioni stated recently.

People Daily has learnt that Matiang’i is now officially back in Kenya, with an elaborate strategy to popularise his presidential candidacy across the regions.

The presidential hopeful will first embark on a meet the people tours in selected public events including church services and social events as he reintroduces himself to Kenyans as presidential candidate in 2027.

“On Saturday (today) and Sunday he will be attending church services for thanksgiving,” Onyonka, a Matiang’i confidant said without disclosing the names of the churches. “It is too early to start open campaigns. But the former CS back to embark on his presidential bid in 2027. He will outline his plans early next week.”

Another source intimated that he is now in the country full-time and he is not going back to the US.

“At the moment he will be attending organised events. He is not going to be conducting public rallies but you will be seeing him in weddings, football tournaments, harambees, church events and that will be a build-up towards the end of the year. He will launch that thing (presidential bid) next year,” the source said.

Though Jubilee Party has endorsed Matiang’i as its flagbearer in 2027 polls, the source intimated that he will not be wearing the party colours for now but he will also be attending events organised by other political parties, including Jubilee.

“He will be appearing in so many forums including those organised by Jubilee, there is the UDA and the Taifa Coalition that brings together the parties from Kisii region,” he added. “For now, the most important thing is that he is around, he is listening to people, he is traversing the country to listen to people through these organised group meetings and public participation. This will climax in the launch of the political party upon which he will run for president.”

Even after Jubilee proposal to front Matiang’i, his grassroots engagement with his supporters are expected to shape the political deals he will enter with the former ruling party and coalitions that may be formed thereafter.

“There is a big coalition that is coming, which will be an umbrella for all these political parties. So as to what party ticket he will fly, whether it will be a coalition, or a party ticket will be a decision to be made at a later stage, not now,” the source stated.

Matiang’i is expected to conduct his first major public appearance early next month on 9th at his home county of Kisii before setting out to other parts of the country.

In the past, Kioni emphasized Matiang’i’s extensive experience in public service, highlighting his roles in implementing key national initiatives such as Huduma Namba, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), and reforms in the education sector.

He asserted that Matiang’i possesses the requisite expertise to address the country’s challenges effectively
Matiang’i has yet to make a public statement regarding his political ambitions. However, Kioni indicated that he would address the nation soon to clarify his position.

The former powerful CS, who served under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, has largely kept a low profile since the Kenya Kwanza government took over in 2022. His absence from the public scene was interpreted by some as self-imposed exile following mounting political pressure and threats of legal action during the early days of the current regime.

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 de facto prime minister during his tenure.

His loyalty to former President Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga during the 2022 succession battle placed him at odds with the current administration, fuelling speculation of targeted investigations.

However, his allies argue that the investigations were politically motivated and meant to weaken figures associated with the previous regime.

With the next general election just over two years away, Matiang’i’s return has sparked renewed conversation within political circles, particularly in opposition strongholds, about his viability as a presidential contender.

Analysts point to his technocratic background, no-nonsense public service record, and his growing appeal among middle-class Kenyans disillusioned with the political class as potential assets should he seek the country’s top seat.

In recent months, subtle calls have emerged from sections of the Gusii community and parts of civil society urging Matiang’i to consider a run for the presidency.

Leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties have openly described him as the region’s best shot at national leadership.

Still, challenges abound. Matiang’i would need to build a national political machine from scratch or align with a powerful coalition.
His strained relationship with Kenya Kwanza and the unpredictability of opposition alliances especially around Raila Odinga’s future make the political terrain ahead anything but certain.