2027: Matiang’i hits the ground in Gusii

By Newsflash Reporter

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is scheduled to make his first public appearance of 2025 in the Gusii region on Friday, May 2, in what is expected to be a highly symbolic and politically significant event.

According to a press release issued by the Team Matiang’i Secretariat on April 30, the former powerful CS will embark on a tour across various towns in Kisii and Nyamira counties. The visit, organized by his political allies and local leaders, is billed as a “meet-the-people” engagement and a chance for Dr Matiang’i to reconnect with grassroots supporters after a period of political silence.

“This visit underscores Dr Matiang’i’s commitment to listening to the people and reconnecting with the grassroots,” read the statement from the secretariat. The team coordinating his engagements emphasized that the appearance marks a pivotal moment for his supporters and the larger Gusii political base.

Matiang’i will be accompanied by a host of elected leaders from the region, including Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo, and Senators Richard Onyoka (Kisii) and Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira). Also expected are several Members of Parliament and County Assembly representatives, signaling a strong show of regional unity behind the former CS.

Signs of political reawakening?

The itinerary includes courtesy visits to the county offices of Kisii and Nyamira governors, as well as stops in key urban and rural centers. The team listed Kijauri, Keroka, Keumbu, Kisii Town, and Nyamira as some of the main stopovers during the tour. These locations are critical political nerve centers in the Gusii region and are expected to draw large crowds of supporters.

Though the press release was careful not to explicitly state any political ambitions, the scale of coordination and participation by high-ranking regional leaders has sparked speculation that Matiang’i could be positioning himself for a larger political role ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Many political observers view this tour as a litmus test for Matiang’i’s relevance in the current political landscape and his ability to galvanize support in a region often seen as fragmented. The grassroots tour may also serve to reestablish his influence beyond Gusii and into national opposition politics.

The secretariat coordinating the visit includes prominent leaders such as Onyoka, Omogeni, Kitutu Chache MP Anthony Kibagendi, and MCAs Nyambega Gisesa, and Jacob Bagaka.

Matiang’i has maintained a relatively low profile since the 2022 elections, but his re-emergence is expected to energize his support base and reignite conversations around his potential role in national politics.

His choice of Gusii for this comeback reinforces his ties to the region and could serve as the launchpad for future political engagements.