Matiang’i begins Meru tour amid opposition rivalry tensions
By Kenneth Mwenda, June 4, 2026Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i has started a four-day political tour of Meru County as opposition leaders step up activity in the region ahead of planned mobilisation efforts.
Matiang’i arrived in Meru on Thursday, June 4, 2026. He was received by Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya, alongside other local leaders and supporters. The tour includes public meetings, stakeholder forums, and consultations with youth, traders, farmers, and business groups.
On arrival, Matiang’i spoke to journalists and said his visit focused on listening to residents and understanding their concerns.
He added that he would prioritise direct engagement with residents over formal speeches.
The four-day itinerary covers several sub-counties. Discussions are expected to focus on the cost of living, job creation, agricultural support, and devolution. Organisers said the meetings are designed to allow residents to raise issues directly with leaders.
The tour takes place as political activity in Meru intensifies ahead of wider opposition mobilisation efforts. Internal competition between Munya and former Meru Senator Mithika Linturi has heightened political tensions in the county.
The two leaders, both vying for the Meru gubernatorial seat, are engaged in a rivalry centred on control of political influence in the region. The planned five-day opposition rallies in Meru and Isiolo counties, led by PNU, are set to begin on Thursday but were previously postponed following fuel price protests.
Munya said opposition leaders, including Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa, would take part in the rallies aimed at boosting the opposition’s presence in the region.
However, Linturi, who serves as organising secretary for the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), rejected the plan. He accused Munya of using DCP leaders’ images on posters without consultation.
In a Facebook post, Linturi said the party was not involved in the planned rallies.
“As the DCP National Organising Secretary, I have been alerted about the poster circulating ostensibly to pull a crowd for a certain political group. We are not aware of the said rallies and our diary is fully booked for other matters,” he said.
He added: “Please ignore it completely. PNU is free to carry out their political activities without conning the people of Meru into optics lost into oblivion.”
Meru opposition power struggle
Linturi added that he would protect his party’s political space and criticised Munya’s leadership style.
Munya dismissed the criticism, saying opposition principals coordinate their activities through formal structures.
The rivalry between the two leaders has intensified in recent weeks. They clashed during a funeral in Tigania East, and tensions have grown over local political alignments. A recent shift saw North Imenti parliamentary aspirant Carol Karimi leave the Gachagua-led party for PNU.