Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has vowed to bring about meaningful transformation if elected president in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during his two-day tour of Meru County, Matiang’i disclosed that he would work in a similar fashion as he worked with former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He indicated that the education system was on the verge of collapse due to misgovernance and that he would ensure that schools are properly funded.

Fix education funding

“We have a challenge in this country that capitation is not delivered to schools, and school principals are struggling to run the schools,” Matiang’i said.

“It has reached a point where they are asking parents to pay examination fees from their pockets, yet the government of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and I had taken care of such fees,” he added.

“I am asking you to give me this job because I would like to perform my duties in the same manner we used to.”

United Opposition

Matiang’i equally dismissed reports of the disintegration of the united opposition, noting that they are keen on forming the next government together.

“As the leaders of the United Opposition, we are united and we shall cooperate with one another because unity is our strength,” he said.

We shall not be intimidated by goons. We shall be here, and anyone who dares to intimidate with goons is ill-advised. We shall face them head-on,” Matiang’i said.

The strength of the United Opposition lies in its potential to coalesce around a single candidate, a strategy that has been a challenge for the opposition in past elections.

The key contenders to lead this united opposition include politicians like Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, and Fred Matiang’i.

While President William Ruto has secured the support of ODM leader Raila Odinga, he hopes to inherit his bloc of voters and a section of votes in the Mt Kenya region from voters who do not agree with Gachagua’s ideologies.

Ruto walks a tightrope with the presence of ODM in his camp. While senior ODM officials refute reports that the party will support Ruto in 2027, Raila has used public forums to assure Ruto of his support beyond 2027, creating confusion among his base.