Kioni: Presidential race is shaping up around Ruto, Kalonzo and Matiang’i
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 13, 2026Former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni has claimed that the 2027 presidential race is shaping up around only three leaders—President William Ruto, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i.
Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Monday, July 13, 2026, Kioni said the three are the only politicians who have so far demonstrated seriousness in seeking the country’s top seat.
According to the Jubilee deputy party leader, Kenyans are already weighing the three leaders as their preferred presidential contenders, adding that the opposition should move with speed to agree on a single flag bearer instead of delaying the process.
United opposition flag bearer
Kioni urged opposition leaders to fast-track negotiations and rally behind either Kalonzo or Matiang’i if they are to mount a formidable challenge against President Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
He faulted what he described as the opposition’s continued delay in naming its presidential candidate, saying the prolonged wait was creating uncertainty among supporters.
‘The ballot people, if you look at it now, before we get to next year, it has three names: William Ruto, Fred Matiang’i and Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka. Let’s make up our minds about where we want to be and stop playing games with Kenyans,” Kioni said.
This comes days after Jeremiah Kioni came 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.
“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.
Kioni endorses Matiang’i
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.