Gusii tour: Matiang’i moves to tighten grip on turf amid flagbearer talks
By Aloys Michael, February 22, 2026Jubilee Party Deputy Party leader Fred Matiang’i is intensifying his political footprint in his home region of Gusii, signalling a strategic push by the outfit to consolidate influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The three-day tour, scheduled from February 23 to 25, is set to cover key towns and constituencies in Nyamira and Kisii counties, with rallies expected to draw heavy crowds and local leadership endorsement.
The tour marks a critical moment for Matiang’i, who has already been endorsed by Jubilee to run for the country’s top seat using the faction as his political vehicle, seeking not only to shore up regional support but also to position himself as a viable candidate for a joint opposition ticket against President William Ruto.
Matiang’i will be accompanied by notable figures from the united opposition, including former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Cabinet colleague Eugene Wamalwa, Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) leader Justin Muturi, and Martha Karua of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), demonstrating a rare coalition-building effort.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni, who are at the forefront of organising the tour, emphasised that the itinerary is designed to reach grassroots voters across multiple constituencies to bolster political vet for the Former Cabinet Secretary even as the honchos continue to deliberate on who will flagbear the camp in the 2027 showdown.
“On Monday, we will start from Ekerenyo before heading to Nyamira town, then on to Marani in Kitutu Chache. The next day, Tuesday, we will be in Nyanturago, Nyakoe, Suneka and Nyamarambe. On Wednesday, the 25th, we will be in Ogembo, Nyamache and Kenyenya, among other areas. However, the final itinerary is still being fine-tuned,” Onyonka said during an interview on a local vernacular Radio station.
Omogeni noted the importance of peaceful engagement, cautioning against any disruptions.
“Let us give our people an opportunity to show the world that our community is firmly behind Dr Matiang’i. Even those who do not believe in him should allow us to campaign for him. You can also stage your campaigns later without disrupting ours,” he said.
Gusii is Jubilee?
The tour is a strategic move to reinforce Jubilee’s influence in a region historically dominated by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), as the bigwigs are keen to make Ruto a one-term President.
Recent political trends suggest that ODM’s grip is waning, while Jubilee, under Matiang’i’s leadership, is gaining momentum.
The significance of local leadership support is evident: MPs like Patrick Osero (Borabu), Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Obadia Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), and Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba) have publicly backed Matiang’i, offering him a strong base to mobilise voters.
The timing of the tour aligns with Matiang’i’s efforts to assert influence beyond his home turf. On November 27, 2025, pro-Matiang’i candidates swept all three by-elections in Nyamira’s Nyamaiya, Nyansiongo, and Ekerenyo wards, a clear signal that his political brand resonates with local voters.
Onyonka framed the upcoming rallies as an opportunity for the Gusii community to demonstrate tangible support.
“This team that is coming wants to confirm whether you have truly embraced your own horse, Matiang’i, as you claim, or whether you are just joking. This is the opportunity to demonstrate that he has our support and that they can rely on it,” the veteran legislator stated.
Strategically, the tour also positions Matiang’i as a unifying figure among opposition leaders, signalling to the electorate that he could spearhead a coordinated challenge to the incumbent administration.
By leveraging both local grassroots momentum and high-profile political alliances, Matiang’i aims to solidify his status as a front-runner in the 2027 race, especially in regions where Jubilee seeks to expand its influence.
With the 2027 elections looming, Gusii will serve as a critical testing ground for both Jubilee and opposition dynamics.
The coming weeks may reveal whether Matiang’i can convert his homegrown support into a broader electoral coalition capable of challenging Kenya’s political status quo.
For now, the rallies in Nyamira and Kisii counties are set to be a decisive barometer of his regional strength and the shifting political landscape in southwestern Kenya.