Former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. Photo/Newsflash
By Wanderi Kamau
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday held secret talks with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and his allies in Nairobi, in what is seen as efforts to consolidate the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Impeccable sources told Newsflash that at the meeting, Uhuru told the opposition to unite and reach out to all leaders, including former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua
For the first time, Uhuru accepted to publicly join hands with Gachagua, who in the recent days has turned to be a thorn in the flesh to President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
According to insiders at the meeting, those who attended are Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, former Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho and former head of Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) Andrew Wakahiu.
“At the meeting, Matiang’i was tasked with the responsibility of engaging Kenyans as well as reaching out to other like-minded political leaders in the opposition so that they can form a formidable political force,” said the source.
On Thursday, 23rd January, 2025, during an interview with Inooro FM, a Kikuyu vernacular radio station, Kioni said that Jubilee Party had endorsed Matiang’i as its presidential candidate.
A day later, it emerged that Matiang’i has also been endorsed by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) as its presidential candidate in 2027.
The party has roots in the Gusii region, and it is led by Nyamira governor Amos Nyaribo.
This development is seen to shape the 2027 general election politics, which are already gathering momentum.
The meeting also put to rest the question on where Uhuru’s loyalty lies.
Political observers, however, term Uhuru’s move as a surprise, given that in recent months, he had appeared to mend fences with President Ruto, after a bitter fallout towards the 2022 general elections.
Uhuru and Ruto are believed to have had a ‘handshake’ when they both met at the Kenyatta family’s home in Ichaweri, Kiambu County on 9th December 2024.
After the meeting, Ruto nominated Uhuru’s allies William Kabogo, Lee Kinyanjui and Mutahi Kagwe to the Cabinet.
It also emerged that Uhuru has been allowed to use his Caledonia residence, just next to State House, along Nairobi’s Dennis Pritt road as his designated retirement office.
