Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has declared that his intention to become the opposition’s flag bearer will be guided by what he termed as “scientific methods,” stressing a rational and transparent approach to leadership selection.

Speaking during an interview with a local station on Tuesday, 28, 2026, Matiang’i said any process to pick a presidential candidate must be explainable, structured and based on clear criteria rather than political convenience or populism.

“Yes, I will still use the scientific method,” Matiang’i said while answering the question on whether he will still use the scientific method he said earlier.

“I hold the view of what they mean by a scientific method. It means a method you can explain rationally to people; I’m saying there must be a rational method explaining how we arrive here. Even if it’s a negotiation, it has to be explainable,” Matiang’i said.

Need for public participation

He insisted that leadership contests within the opposition should not be arbitrary but instead anchored on public participation, inclusion and accountability, warning against opaque negotiations that cannot be justified to citizens.

The Jubilee party leader, who is increasingly seen as a key contender in the evolving opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election, maintained that he is confident in his own credentials, adding that the process must remain open and credible.

“I believe I am the real change that can shake this system, but you cannot close the door in advance. There must be a rational process,” Matiang’i said.

United Opposition divided over flagbearer naming

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who is the convener of the United Alternative Government, had earlier proposed that the coalition name its presidential candidate within the first quarter of 2026.

This formed part of his demands at the start of the year, alongside other reforms such as rebranding the coalition to Komboa Kenya.

He defended his proposal by arguing that naming a flag bearer early would give the candidate ample time to familiarise themselves with voters and the Kenyan populace ahead of the 2027 general election.

“I think that is what is going to unite us more. And of course, we are hoping before the year gets underway. I personally think within the first quarter, we should have agreed on who our flagbearer is, because, again, Kenyans want certainty to be able to plan and to make sure that William Ruto will not rig the coming election,” he said.

His proposal was met with an immediate rebuttal from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who dismissed the idea, insisting that the United Opposition should not name its flagbearer early.

Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa echoed Gachagua’s sentiments, suggesting that the candidate should be named closer to the election period, preferably around six months to the general election.

He emphasised that the coalition should not be in a rush to unveil its presidential candidate.

“Our pick for a presidential flag bearer will take shape six months before the General Election. We will only choose a candidate that Kenyans want, one who has no corruption-related cases, no blood on his hands, and no questionable character, and who must also have a proven track record,” Wamalwa said.