Plans to have former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi run for the presidency on a Jubilee Party ticket have been sealed, an MP said on May 18, 2025.

Nakuru Town West MP Samwel Arama yesterday revealed that plans were at an advanced stage to hand over the party’s political mantle to Matiang’i.

Arama dismissed rumours that Matiang’i could use the little-known UPA party to contest for presidency.

“As one of the senior MPs elected on a Jubilee Party ticket under the leadership of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, I want Kenyans to stop speculating about the party Matiang’i could use by affirming that he will use Jubilee Party,” Arama told People Daily.

The MP said Matiang’i was a national leader and he needed a party with national image to contest for the country’s top political seat.

“UPA is a Kisii-based party and we have no issue with it, but Matiang’i cannot make the mistake of running on the ticket of a party which has its political roots only within the Kisii community,” Arama stated.

He asked UPA party leader and Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo, UPA national chairman Gisesa Nyambega and the party’s secretary -general Jacob Bagaka to stop misleading people that Matiang’i could contest on UPA ticket.

“UPA has no national party structures and political network. How do they expect Matiang’i to use it in running for the country’s top political seat which needs all Kenyans to be brought on board?” he posed.

Formidable leaders

He revealed that soon Uhuru, the Jubilee party leader, could hand it to Matiang’i .

“Jubilee is a national party which has structures with formidable leaders across the country who Matiangi can work with to win the presidency,” he added.

However when contacted, Nyambega said UPA belongs  to Matiang’i and that is the party he could use to run for the country’s top seat.

“This party was formed by Matiang’i and some of us are