Matiang’i, Junet and Arati's Surprise Airport Meeting Raises Eyebrows

Jubilee Party presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i has dismissed claims that his encounter with ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was a political meeting, saying the three met by chance before separate trips to Kisumu.

Photographs of the three leaders at the airport circulated widely online, prompting speculation about possible political discussions. In a statement issued on Saturday, Matiang’i said the claims were false and explained that they had met while checking in for flights to Kisumu, where each had separate engagements.

"Contrary to false claims circulating online, this was neither a meeting held last night nor a planned engagement. It was simply a chance encounter between leaders at the airport," he said.

Junet Mohamed gave a similar account, saying the three exchanged greetings before continuing with their individual travel plans. He said he and Governor Arati were travelling to Nyando for an empowerment event, while Matiang’i was heading to Ahero for a church service at Apondo SDA Church alongside Siaya Governor James Orengo and Martha Karua.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka also dismissed the speculation, saying politicians regularly meet and greet one another in public without it indicating any political agreement or alliance. He described the online claims as "childish games".

The photographs emerged hours after the Linda Mwananchi rallies in Kisii and Nyamira, where tensions were reported. Vehicles belonging to the organisers were stoned, and ODM leaders accused Governor Arati of organising the disruptions.

The Linda Mwananchi group, which includes Edwin Sifuna, James Orengo, Babu Owino and Godfrey Osotsi, has presented itself as a reform-focused faction within ODM that is critical of President William Ruto and his allies. Former Chief Justice David Maraga also attended the rally in Gusii, where he expressed support for Linda Mwananchi's campaign to address corruption and poor governance.

Meanwhile, Matiang’i remains a prominent figure in discussions about the political future of the Nyanza region. National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro recently urged him to take a leading role in the region and suggested that he should work with the ruling party to strengthen his political influence.