Former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni has come out to publicly back his fellow Jubilee Party deputy leader, Fred Matiang’i, saying he is a better presidential candidate than Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Speaking during an interview on a local radio station on Monday, June 29, 2026, the outspoken Jubilee deputy party leader has also accused former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua of leaning towards Kalonzo Musyoka as his preferred presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Matiang’i is better than Kalonzo. I know Gachagua wants Kalonzo to be the flag bearer, but Matiang’i is better than Kalonzo.”

Kioni maintained that his decision to support Matiang’i as the United Opposition’s flag bearer should not be interpreted as betrayal or proof that he is a mole, as some have claimed in the past. Instead, he argued that his remarks represent a personal opinion, which he said is acceptable in a democratic political competition where every leader is free to support the candidate they believe is best suited to lead the coalition.

He also cited his track record while serving under the Uhuru regime as one that makes him better than the Wiper party leader.

Matiangi’s appointment

Kioni’s remarks come at a time when Fred Matiang’i has been fronted by the Jubilee Party as its presidential candidate and representative within the United Opposition coalition. The decision was reached during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting chaired by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Since then, Matiang’i has been traversing the country alongside other opposition principals, all of whom are harbouring presidential ambitions.

Despite the growing competition, the leaders have maintained that they will, at the appropriate time, sit down and agree on a single flagbearer to face President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Flagbearer headache

The latest remarks also come amid sharp divisions within the United Opposition over the method that should be used to pick its presidential candidate.

Matiang’i and PLP leader Martha Karua have thrown their weight behind a scientific opinion poll, arguing that the candidate with the highest support should be declared the coalition’s flag bearer.

Under their proposal, the first runner-up would become the deputy presidential candidate, while the second runner-up would be considered for the position of National Assembly Speaker.

On the other hand, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has opposed the opinion poll proposal, insisting that the coalition should instead adopt a consensus-based approach in selecting its presidential flag bearer.