FORMER Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is quietly piecing together
a political pact with six parties as he lays the groundwork for a 2027
presidential bid—separate from his engagements with other opposition
heavyweights.
According to insiders, the talks could
culminate in either a coalition party or a merger, with the singular goal of
mounting a serious challenge against President William Ruto.
The Star has established that Matiang’i has
in recent weeks held a series of meetings with leaders of at least six
political outfits to explore the direction of his candidature.
Three of the parties hail from former
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Mt Kenya stronghold, a move likely to
ruffle feathers in the ex-DP’s backyard.
The latest strategy session was held on
Thursday, just days after Matiang’i completed a successful tour of Meru and
Laikipia counties.
“He chaired the meeting in Karen, where
participants explored various pathways to a Matiang’i presidency, including
forming a coalition or a full merger,” a highly placed source told the Star.
In attendance were former Agriculture Cabinet
Secretary Peter Munya representing PNU, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo and secretary
general Jacob Bagaka of the United Progressive Alliance, Jubilee’s Jeremiah
Kioni, Omingo Magara of PDP and Atati Kengere of the Kenya Social Congress.
The Devolution Empowerment Party, popularly
known as the ‘Bus Party,’ was also represented by its leader, Lenny Kivuti.
Significantly, Munya, Kioni and Kivuti come
from Mt Kenya—Gachagua’s political turf.
The DP has previously dismissed Matiang’i’s
overtures to Jubilee, urging him instead to build a “homegrown” Gusii political
outfit.
Just this week, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, one of
Gachagua’s allies, branded Matiang’i an “NIS project” after the former CS
toured Meru alone without other opposition luminaries.
Matiang’i, a key figure in retired President
Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, has openly declared interest in the presidency
but is yet to unveil the party or coalition that will carry his ambition.
Party leaders involved in the Thursday talks were guarded, but one confirmed
that consultations had reached “an advanced stage,” stressing that the project
is aimed at giving Kenyans “a fresh, credible and disciplined alternative.”
The Star established that the meeting chaired by Matiang’i agreed, among
other things, to constitute a high-powered technical team tasked with exploring
legal, structural and political options for forging a common front.
The team is expected to hand in its preliminary report within weeks, with modalities
on whether to operate under a coalition framework or dissolve into one party.
“A technical team was formed to explore options, they will give a
preliminary report in the coming weeks,” the source said. “Each party proposed
one individual to be part of the technical team.”
The team will meet again on Thursday next week to review progress.
With three Mt Kenya political parties – PNU, Jubilee and Bus Party - in his
corner, Matiang’i has jolted the political scene, especially in Mt Kenya, where
fears abound that the former CS could be carving out a formidable force to
upend the power matrix in the populous region.
The move is seen as a major boost to Matiang’i’s political strategy team,
which has been quietly courting influential regional players to anchor his
entry into national politics.
Mt Kenya, which has historically determined the direction of national
politics, remains a key battleground.
Matiang’i’s allies argue that his growing influence could tilt calculations
in the race to succeed President William Ruto.
Political analysts note that by courting mid-tier parties, Matiang’i is
positioning himself as a consensus candidate who can rally diverse regional
blocs.
Some observers have, however, dismissed Matiang’i’s overtures in the mountain
as insignificant, arguing former Deputy President Gachagua will decide
where the region’s votes go.
Despite securing the backing of a handful of local parties, observers say
the vote-rich bloc remains firmly contested between Gachagua and President
William Ruto’s allies.
According to political strategist Martin Andati, Matiang’i’s outreach lacks
deep grassroots networks and is seen as an outsider’s incursion into a region
already identified with the former DP.
“He is hoping Uhuru will give him that vote. Relying on Uhuru to deliver the
Mt Kenya vote is dead on arrival,” Andati told the Star.
The analyst said the former CS could suffer what befell ODM leader
Raila Odinga in 2022, when the retired President could not deliver the key vote.
Matiang’i’s moves amount to little more than political theatre, with minimal
impact on the ground, Andati said.
MPs from the region allied to Gachagua have, however, welcomed Matiang’i’s
overtures in the region, saying every leader is free to court the mountain.
MPs Edward Muriu (Gatanga) and John Kaguchia (Mukurweini) told the
Star the former Interior boss, just like other leaders, is free to
campaign in the region.
“It is OK to meet everybody across Kenya, the DCP party leader is doing
the same. Ultimately, all the opposition will meet and decide on one
presidential candidate,” Muriu told the Star on phone. “Our
guiding beacon is to make Ruto a one-term President.”
Kaguchia said all national leaders should be free to traverse different
regions to drum up support and build their brands.
“Let everyone build their personal national brand and, in the end, they will
agree on who flies the flag based on influence gathered along the way. You
can’t stop people from moving around,” he said.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Matiang’i’s recent overtures especially in Mt Kenya have caused
ripples in the country’s political landscape. While some people dismiss his
strategy, others believe his entry into the coalition-building game signals
that the scramble for 2027 is on and that the race may no longer be a two-horse
affair.
