Matiang'i in Kiambu as he seeks region's support in his presidential bid

On Friday, Matiang'i and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta met Jubilee delegates at Thika greens.

by GEOFFREY MOSOKU

News09 November 2025 - 13:57

In Summary

Having been appointed Jubilee Party Deputy Leader, the ex-minister is seeking to ride on Uhuru's goodwill in Mt Kenya region as he seeks to gain support outside his home area
Matiang'i is also seeking to convince his partners in the United Opposition to consider him as their flagbearer to send Ruto home in 2027.

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*Ex-Interior CS Fred Matiang'i addressing faithful at Karuri Catholic Church, in Kiambu on November 9, 2025/HANDOUT*

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has returned to Kiambu for a second time in three days as he seeks to woo residents of the vote-rich region.

Matiang’i attended a Sunday morning mass at St Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Karuri and attended an afternoon church service at Life Church International in Limuru later.

In his remarks, he shared a message of hope, unity, and renewed purpose, calling on Kenyans to stand together as one nation, guided by faith and resilience.

“We want to invite those who have decamped from Jubilee, aspirants seeking various elective seats and new members to join our party, Jubilee. We seek to rebuild ahead of the 2027 polls,” Matiang'i said.

“I beseech you that we live in peace and unity and with God’s help, if we get power, we will transform our country together,” Matiang’i spoke at Karuri market as he left the Karuri church service.

Matiang'i has been to Kiambu alone about six times in one month, where he has met different groups that include youth and women groups.

Sunday's tour came just two days after he and ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta joined Jubilee Party delegates meeting held at Thika Greens in neighbouring Murang’a county.

“I’m supporting Matiang’i because of his capacity, not his tribe. In fact, I don’t even know his home; I’ve never visited him, but he is a hardworking leader,” Uhuru said as he sought to lobby support for his former minister.

Matiang’i has been making several incursions into the region that heavily supported President William Ruto in 2022 but appeared to have fallen out with the UDA.

He faces a herculean task in building a formidable support in the region that appears to favour ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP; a move the Jubilee side seems to be contending with, but in a strategic way.

Last week, Uhuru, who is the Jubilee Party leader, cautioned the rank and file of his party to desist from insulting Gachagua and instead campaign for Matiang’i in a respectful manner.

“We won’t allow any Jubilee member to abuse leaders, including Gachagua or anyone else. We need peace in this country,” he said.

In the last month, Matiang’i has traversed the Mt Kenya region even more than he has toured his home area in what his strategists say is aimed at building a huge support while at the same time riding on the goodwill of Uhuru.

“Fred doesn’t need to come home to look for support; we have released him to go out there and solicit for support. Mt Kenya region is one of those places we want him to concentrate,” Borabu MP Patrick Osero said.

Osero and his counterpart’s Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South) and Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), are in Nyamira campaigning for the Matiang’i allied candidates in Nyansiongo, Ekerenyo and Nyamaiya wards ahead of the November 27 by-elections.

The trio remained confident that they would deliver the three seats to candidates associated with UPA and PDP parties that have links to their team in spite of an incursion by the ruling UDA party.