Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has pledged not let Kenyans down if elected President in 2027.
Speaking during a youth mentorship event at the Lavington
SDA Church on Monday, Matiang’i promised to deliver a transformative and
responsive government.
“If I was to be so favoured and so blessed to be the one to get that opportunity to cross that bridge and make contributions to the service of the country in that office, I pledge to you, in this sanctuary, I will never let you down,” he said.
Matiang’i, who has recently emerged as a key political figure to watch ahead of the 2027 General Election, told the gathering that his leadership would mark a clear break from the past.
“Kenyans should expect to see a government they have never seen,” he declared, pledging to bring the same urgency and efficiency he once demonstrated in the ICT docket.
He cited his role in steering the country through the controversial digital migration process, arguing that the move opened up massive opportunities for youth in the digital space.
“When I was being fought at the Supreme Court on digital
migration, imagine if we did not migrate—where would we be today? All those works
that you do on YouTube and other social media platforms, where would we be
today? I fought that war because of where we are today, the jobs that have been
created as a result of that particular war,” he noted.
Matiang’i has also formally declared his political allegiance, ending speculation by announcing his decision to join the Jubilee Party.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the Abagusii community in Mavoko, Machakos County, on Sunday, the former CS revealed he had responded to an invitation from former President Uhuru Kenyatta to return to the party.
“I am declaring openly that I have joined Jubilee. As we said during the NDC, it's time to join the Jubilee Party,” Matiang’i stated.
The former CS likened his political re-entry to an initiation ceremony, calling on fellow aspirants to fully embrace the party's identity.
“All these aspirants who are here eyeing different seats should now wear Jubilee Party colours during our next meeting. I also have my Jubilee Party hat here,” he said.
Matiang’i announced plans to open party offices across the country, starting with Embakasi and Kitengela, as part of a wider strategy to rejuvenate Jubilee.
Grassroots elections, he said, would soon be announced to energize the party base.
The former CS has defended his political moves, emphasising that Kenya’s democracy guarantees leaders the freedom to associate with any political formation of their choice.
Deputy Chief Party (DCP) leader and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in a Sunday night interview on KTN, said he had no issue with Matiang’i’s choice of party.
Gachagua, a key figure in the opposition’s strategy, acknowledged the prevailing mood in the country was for opposition unity.
“The mood in the country is for the opposition to unite and defeat William Ruto,” Gachagua said.
