Matiang’i begs voters not to humiliate him in the November 27 mini polls
By Robert Ochoro, November 24, 2025Three days to the much-hyped mini polls at Nyamaiya, Ekerenyo and Nyansiongo in Nyamira County, Fred Matiang’i, on Monday, November 24, 2025, appealed to voters not to humiliate him.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary, who is eyeing a bigger political role, said leaders affiliated with the Kenya Kwanza government want to use the mini polls to discredit him before his colleagues in the united opposition.
He asserted that he was forced to join the campaign trail after United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders said they wanted to teach him a lesson in his backyard.
Also watch: Matiang’i begs voters not to humiliate him in the November 27 mini polls
“The by-elections are more than what you see. The government wants to use them to tarnish my name and political image,” Matiang’i said during a talk show at a local radio station at his Nyansiongo home.
He noted that the government was using millions of shillings in campaigns to woo voters to win the seats and said they should not cry wolf.
Some Gusii leaders, Matiang’i said, are being paid to abuse him and divide the community for selfish political interests, which he termed wrong and unacceptable.
“Which tradition is this where leaders are paid to abuse fellow community members?” he posed.
He recalled that when he worked under retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government, he served with all leaders from the community regardless of their political party inclinations.
Matiang’i maintained that he advocates for unity and respect among leaders, stressing that he abhors abuses and those who embrace them.
on October 5, 2025. PHOTO/https://x.com/RealMatiangi
He stated that every tribe has leaders in government and outside, noting that they must respect each other and work towards improving the lives of Kenyans.
Unity and political vision
Matiang’i said he wants to follow the legacy of the late and long-serving Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae, who united the Gusii community when he vied for the presidency in 2002 and lost to late President Mwai Kibaki.
He defended his choice of Jubilee Party, saying he served under Kenyatta’s government for ten years and that its policies are friendly to members of the public.
“As opposition, we want to return the Linda Mama programme, change the Social Health Authority and introduce Free Primary Education. I know the education system and I can fix it,” Matiang’i noted.
He said the Jubilee Party is popular nationally and that he made a decision to embrace it as a party for other communities as well.
Matiang’i, who was initially linked to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), was under pressure to use it as a vehicle to contest for the presidency but declined.
The party’s Secretary General, Jacob Bagaka, also the Masige West Member of the Kisii County Assembly, said the former CS was at liberty to make his own political choices.
He noted that the country has enough laws and institutions but lacks leadership and management to foster development.
“Kenyans are highly educated and patriotic. Corruption is hurting us. We have to address it for the country to develop,” Matiang’i said.
He added that he respects former Chief Justice David Maraga and has never spoken ill of him, noting that leadership comes from God and Kenyans will decide whom to elect in the next General Election.
“I do not have more rights than others. If the Gusii community shows me respect, that is fine,” Matiang’i said.
Maraga is among the leaders contesting for the country’s presidency and has yet to identify his political party.