Matiang’i to kick off 2027 presidential bid preparations

By Wanderi Kamau

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is expected to return to Kenya soon to begin laying the groundwork for a possible 2027 presidential bid, Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has revealed.

Speaking on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Kioni stated that Dr Matiang’i—who has been abroad since exiting government—will be spending time in the country over the coming festive period and is expected to start engaging politically ahead of a formal declaration of his candidacy.

“Every Kenyan wants to hear Matiang’i say that he is running,” Kioni told journalists. “I also expect him to say that he is running. I know that he will say it because he has told me.”

Kioni’s remarks are the clearest indication yet that the former CS is preparing for a political comeback, potentially positioning himself as a key challenger to President William Ruto in the 2027 general election.

Matiang’i seen as a “performer” by allies

Kioni said that there is growing public demand for a credible alternative to the current administration and described Matiang’i as a leader with a proven track record.

“They want anyone else but not Ruto,” said Kioni. “But they also want a performer—a person with a track record, a person who says ‘let’s begin our journey’… and sets off. That’s why Matiang’i seems to be doing better.”

He added that even in informal political polls being conducted across the country, Matiang’i was outperforming many other potential contenders. “We are happy that we are associated with him as a party,” he said.

Matiang’i, who previously served under President Uhuru Kenyatta in various high-profile roles, including as Minister for Education, ICT, and Interior, has long been viewed as a disciplined technocrat with a no-nonsense approach to public service. His tenure as Interior CS won him praise for his firmness and efficiency, but also criticism from opposition leaders who accused him of heavy-handedness.

Backed by Uhuru, eyeing broader coalition

Matiang’i has been closely linked with the Jubilee Party, where former President Uhuru Kenyatta remains the party leader. He has also been associated with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), a political party that was part of the Azimio coalition in the 2022 elections.

There are reports that Uhuru has privately endorsed Matiang’i as his preferred candidate for 2027, although the former Head of State has not publicly confirmed this. Political insiders believe that a Matiang’i-Uhuru axis could be the basis of a broader opposition alliance to challenge Ruto’s UDA-led coalition in the next elections.

While Kioni stopped short of announcing an official campaign launch, he hinted that it was a matter of time before the former CS made his intentions known. “Launching a presidential bid—those are things that will happen very much later,” he said.

For now, attention will turn to Matiang’i’s anticipated return to the country, which is likely to reignite political momentum within opposition circles as the race to 2027 slowly takes shape.