Former Interior Secretary Fred Matiang'i
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has publicly endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for a potential presidential bid in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a public event on Saturday, Onyonka emphasized that Matiang’i’s candidacy is being driven by the Kisii community's aspirations for greater representation and influence in national politics. Onyonka has revealed plans to establish a new political party to amplify the voices of minority communities, advocating for their increased involvement in decision-making processes and access to leadership positions.
"We have decided that as a community and as Kenyans, we are also going to set up our own political party and we are going to produce our own candidate who will negotiate with the President and all other people who are running for political office, and that candidate is Fred Matiang'i," he stated.
While affirming Matiang’i as their candidate, Onyonka indicates a willingness to engage with President William Ruto, contingent on his performance in the coming years. He stresses that Matiang’i intends to consult broadly with all political stakeholders, reflecting a pragmatic approach in the dynamic political environment.
Jubilee coalition’s Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has also voiced support for Matiang’i, adding further complexity to the evolving political discourse, particularly given Kioni’s alignment with the opposition. Matiang’i is expected to return to Kenya following his role at the World Bank, a move anticipated to galvanize his supporters as he shapes his political strategy. Onyonka notes that Matiang’i plans to consult widely before making a final decision regarding his potential candidacy.
"Yesterday, Fred Matiang’i called me from where he is working for the World Bank in Latin America. He has decided to leave the job and come back to Kenya to join our brothers,” Onyonka said.
However, Matiang'i faces significant political and legal obstacles that could derail his ambitions even before an official campaign launch. Sources within the Kenya Kwanza Alliance indicate influential figures are actively working to undermine his candidacy, fueled by past grievances stemming from his tenure in the previous administration. Matiang'i, who served as a powerful Cabinet Secretary for Interior under former President Uhuru Kenyatta and the current President William Ruto, is viewed with suspicion by some within the ruling coalition.
These detractors accuse him of abusing his authority and mistreating them during his time in office. According to sources familiar with the matter, Matiang'i could face as many as 14 criminal and misdemeanour charges should he formally announce his presidential bid. These charges, reportedly compiled over the past two years, range from abuse of office and fraud to more serious accusations related to extra-judicial killings and human rights violations.
Specifically, Matiang'i could be implicated in the multi-million-dollar Ruaraka land fraud case and face charges related to the controversial revocation of lawyer Joshua Miguna Miguna's passport. Additional allegations include stealing by an agent, disobeying court orders, assault, money laundering, and the alleged misappropriation of Shs 10 billion earmarked for the Huduma Number program. The cases are expected to be filed in various courts across the country, including Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii, and Mombasa.
The possibility of Matiang'i's presidential candidacy was first publicly raised by Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni late last year. While the Kenya Kwanza Alliance initially planned to bring five criminal charges against Matiang'i in the first half of 2023, the move was reportedly put on hold following interventions by senior politicians from his Kisii region, led by former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu. However, the Jubilee Party's decision to nominate Matiang'i as its presidential candidate has reignited efforts to pursue legal action.
During President Kenyatta's second term, Matiang'i wielded considerable power, bolstered by an Executive Order that expanded his authority, drawing criticism from then Deputy President William Ruto. The strained relationship between Matiang'i and Ruto persisted until the 2022 General Election, in which Matiang'i openly supported the Azimio coalition. Following the Kenya Kwanza Alliance's victory, Matiang'i's home was reportedly targeted in searches by security agents, allegedly seeking evidence of laundered money and weapons.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga publicly showed support for Matiang'i during these incidents, which were later dismissed by the National Police Service. Former Education CS Machogu also stated that Matiangi reached out to him to plead his case to the current regime, which Machogu did by approaching then DP Rigathi Gachagua. Since that time, Matiang'i has spent extended periods abroad, returning to Kenya infrequently and discreetly.