Matiang'i Lays Foundation for 2027 Presidential Bid

Former Interior Secretary Fred Matiang'i is laying the groundwork for a potential presidential bid in Kenya's 2027 election.

The once-prominent cabinet member during Uhuru Kenyatta's administration has engaged the services of Dickens and Madson, a Canadian lobbying firm, to bolster his prospects of becoming Kenya's sixth president. This strategic move comes with a considerable price tag of Sh32.5 million, aimed at advocating for Matiang'i's candidacy among executive and legislative branches in influential nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Kenya, as well as other mutually agreed-upon countries and international organizations.

Since leaving office in 2022, Matiang'i has maintained a low public profile. However, he intends to leverage his notable achievements as minister of Information and Communications Technology and later Education. His tenure saw the successful transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting and the implementation of measures to curb widespread examination malpractices. These accomplishments may resonate with young protesters who have previously shown support for Matiang'i during recent anti-government demonstrations.

On the domestic front, Matiang'i faces the challenge of navigating the political landscape dominated by the alliance between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga. President Ruto's efforts to foster national unity have included a cabinet reshuffle, incorporating some of Odinga's close allies into his government. While Matiang'i seeks to enhance his international profile through the Montreal-based firm, the controversial history of Dickens and Madson may prove to be a double-edged sword. The firm has faced scrutiny in the past, notably for its involvement with Myanmar's military junta in 2021 and its association with Sudanese General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, in 2019.

These past engagements have raised ethical concerns and could potentially impact Matiang'i's campaign either positively or negatively. The firm's previous contract with Myanmar's junta, valued at $2 million, was ultimately abandoned due to failure to secure necessary approvals from US and Canadian authorities. Similarly, their $6 million agreement with Hemedti, which included efforts to secure government funding and diplomatic recognition, has been met with criticism. Hemedti's rise to power, particularly as the leader of the Rapid Support Forces, has been marred by allegations of human rights abuses. Human Rights Watch has accused his forces of committing serious offences against civilians in Darfur and other regions of Sudan.