Former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i is facing a herculean task
as he seeks to build a campaign machinery to propel him to the presidency.
The hurdles include acquiring and controlling a political
vehicle, shedding off the tag that he is a project of retired President Uhuru
Kenyatta and managing his restless home base.
With less than two years to the 2027 polls, he is yet to
name either the campaign or strategy team, appoint officials or establish
offices to run his campaigns.
This week, the ex-CS sought to clear the air on some of the
concerns, while a move by Uhuru’s Jubilee Party appeared to directly address
the fears of him not having a platform.
Speaking last Wednesday, Matiang’i said it was dishonest for
politicians to label him “Uhuru’s project” while at the same time courting the
former Head of State for political support.
“As for whether I’m someone’s project, I cannot rewrite
history. I served as a Cabinet Minister under President Uhuru Kenyatta,” he
said on Spice FM’s State of the Nation morning show.
“As to whether or not that makes me his project, honestly,
it’s just splitting hairs at the end of the day. People will say I’m Uhuru’s
project, yet they themselves are looking for the same Uhuru to talk to.”
And on Thursday, Matiang’i took one step towards building
his political empire after he was named as Jubilee Party deputy leader and
presumptive presidential candidate.
The delay in naming his party had led to doubts about his
journey to unseating President William Ruto.
At one time, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
challenged him to go back home and put his house in order to facilitate his
participation in the joint opposition talks.
“Matiang’i appears qualified, active and tough. He has what
it takes to be President. But does he have the support from home? If Kisii
doesn’t rally behind him, where will his candidacy go?” Gachagua said a few
weeks ago.
Last Thursday, Uhuru chaired a Jubilee NEC meeting that
resolved to appoint Matiang’i as the deputy party leader going forward.
“Alongside that, we have also resolved that Dr Matiang’i
represents us at the United Opposition. And on top of that, we also received
formally his application to be the Jubilee presidential candidate,” secretary
general Jeremiah Kioni announced.
Even with this step, there are some who cast doubt about his
grip on the Jubilee party and whether he can control affairs of the former
ruling party.
Insiders have revealed that the ultimate plan is to have him
take over as party leader, while his ally and former West Mugirango MP Kemosi
Mogaka replaces Kioni as secretary general.
This could give him the chance to overhaul the whole party
leadership and structures as he prepares for the 2027 race.
Two MPs allied to Matiang’i have raised concerns about the
progress, warning that the slow pace in organising themselves will cost their
camp the goodwill they had a few months ago.
“Our people are becoming impatient with the speed with which
we are operating, while our rivals are making fun of us. We have raised these
concerns with our candidate,” one of the MPs said.
Borabu MP Patrick Osero, who is Matiangi’s local MP,
welcomed the move to name him as Uhuru’s deputy in Jubilee Party.
He said it will help in tapping into the former President’s
support base, while at the same time integrating it with his own base.
“Fred does not belong to village parties but nationally.
Limiting him to tribal parties could have been a disservice to him,” Osero
said.
“Jubilee has a national outreach and offices nationally.
That's the best decision he could have made to retain his national stature.”
Political analyst Prof Gitile Naituli concurred, saying
Matiang’i made a brilliant move by choosing Jubilee as UPA is far too small an
outfit for a leader of his stature.
Had he gone the UPA way, he would have reduced himself to a
mere village cockerel like Nyachae did in 2002, the analyst said.
“Jubilee is a powerhouse, a big party with solid structures,
an active secretariat and firm financial muscle. That is the kind of platform a
serious presidential contender needs,” Naituli said.
“Gachagua’s plan was simple: To confine Matiang’i to a
tribal box and reduce him to a regional leader. But Matiang’i has outsmarted
him by stepping onto a truly national platform.”
At home, Matiang’i is facing a litmus test with the three
by-elections slated for November 27 in Nyamaiya, Ekerenyo and Nyansiongo wards.
Although Jubilee is not fielding candidates, PDP and UPA,
both allied to Jubilee, are fielding candidates.
Neither Matiang’i nor high-profile leaders in his camp have
appeared to campaign for any candidate.
Meanwhile, UDA has deployed a high-powered delegation led by
its national treasurer Japhet Nyakundi, who has camped in the wards in the
high-stakes mini-polls.
The ruling party has expressed confidence that it will
clinch at least two of the three wards, given attempts to have the rival
parties drop their candidates in place of one.
With the likelihood of Matiang’i’s allied candidates
splitting votes, UDA has remained confident of a victory in Nyansiongo and
Ekerenyo.
Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi, however, believes
Matiangi’s allies will prevail.
“We have elections in Nyamira county and they will be won by
Matiangi’s candidates,” he said. “Our rivals are spending Sh1 million per ward
per day, but dust is constant.”
