Matiang’i holds talks with Kwale grassroots leaders as his presidential quest intensifies
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 8, 2026Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has held talks with grassroots leaders drawn from Kwale County as part of his quest for the 2027 presidency.
In a statement shared on his social media on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, Matiangi stated that the leaders expressed deep commitment to a better Kenya.
“This afternoon, I continued engagements and consultations with grassroots leaders, including the clergy, in Kwale County. The sincerity and deep commitment of these leaders to building a better Kenya is truly inspiring.”
Matiang’i’s presidential quest
This comes at a time when Matiangi is eyeing the presidency. He was recently endorsed by his party, Jubilee, as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election. This endorsement followed a meeting chaired by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He was also allowed to represent the party in the United Opposition talks, with his name, after being declared the flagbearer, forwarded to the convener of the United Opposition and PLP party leader Martha Karua. He was further appointed as the Deputy Party Leader of the Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee Party.
For the recent past, Fred Matiangi has been holding talks with Kenyans drawn from different parts of the country.
He recently held discussions at his home with Kuria grassroots leaders, accompanied by Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba.
He then moved to Trans-Nzoia County, where he held talks with his fellow United Opposition principal George Natembeya in his office, in the company of former Minister Mukhisa Kituyi and Kisii Senator Richard Onyoka, who has openly declared his support for Matiang’i ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
He defended his meeting with George Natembeya, stating that it was purely consultative and part of building mutual relations ahead of the intense 2027 campaigns.
He also noted that while serving as Interior Cabinet Secretary in the past administration, they had worked together with Natembeya, who was then serving as Rift Valley Commissioner, a position he resigned from to contest the Trans-Nzoia gubernatorial seat.
Lawyer and politician Miguna Miguna, who has also declared his bid for the top seat, criticised Matiangi’s presidential ambitions during the same interview, stating that Matiangi is worse than the current president.
United opposition’s flagbearer puzzle
This also comes at a time when the United Opposition is facing the flag bearer puzzle regarding when to announce who will challenge President William Ruto in 2027. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka had already stated that the presidential candidate should be announced within the first quarter of 2026 so that Kenyans are prepared.
The former Deputy President, however, dismissed this approach, saying that the flagbearer should not be revealed too early, warning that the current administration would use early disclosure to subject the opposition to political witch-hunts and intimidation. Kalonzo, while speaking in Kipipiri, came out to agree with Gachagua’s suggestion.