Presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i./HANDOUT
Presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i has denied reports linking him to the possibility of joining the Kenya Kwanza government ahead of the 2027 elections.
Matiang’i scoffed at the reports of collaborating with UDA, saying he is committed to the ideals of the Opposition movement that is seeking to oust President Ruto in the coming elections.
He said he would rather sit under a tree at his home with his family than work with the government.
“Sometimes I get annoyed when I see this nonsense in the newspapers that I am going to work with these people. That I will work with some people whose names I don't even want to mention their name. How can that be? You don’t know these people; I know them very well and the stuff they are made of.”
Last week, one of the local dailies reported that Dr. Matiang’i was among the persons being considered as a possible running mate of President Ruto, even as tension in the opposition has escalated in the last month.
The former Interior Affairs Cabinet Secretary, who was speaking in Muthara, Tigania East, Meru County on Saturday during the burial of his former Agriculture colleague Peter Munya’s grandmother, Judith Mwakairu, dismissed the suggestion of a possibility to work with the UDA administration.
“These are people you can’t work with. Their attitude towards public service and public resources is one you can’t tolerate. Every day you wake up, it's stealing. That's what they have perfected, and if need be, they need a PhD in looting.”
“Destroying a country. Within three years look at where we are. Then someone is dreaming that you can work with such people. How? I rather go sit under a tree at home with my wife, parents and my people than being told to work with such people,” he said.
A week ago, Matiang’i revealed publicly that he has joined Jubilee Party of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and he will be using the Red Party to contest the forthcoming presidential polls.
His moves have fueled speculation that he may be going it alone and thus divide the opposition to the benefit of President Ruto’s second-term quest.
On Friday, Matiang’i used the Wiper Democratic Front (WPF) National Delegates Convention at Uhuru Park, in Nairobi, to reiterate his commitment to the United Opposition saying he will support whoever is picked to face Ruto.
The former CS is also facing an acid test of consolidating his home base with three by-elections slated for November 27 in Nyansiongo, Ekerenyo and Nyamaiya Wards in Nyamira county.
Although his Jubilee Party is not fielding candidates, Matiang’i is supporting candidates of affiliate parties that include UPA and PDP to face off stiff competition by the ruling UDA, and its now left to observers to gauge his performance at home.
