Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i has officially set the stage for his 2027 presidential bid. Matiang’i addresses Jubilee party members in Nairobi. Photo: Jeremiah Kioni. Source: Twitter The former Interior Cabinet Secretary has promised an early nationwide campaign that will see him meet Kenyans at the grassroots level. When will Matiang’i step up his campaign efforts? On Monday, November 17, Matiang’i convened Jubilee party delegates and grassroots leaders at the party headquarters in Nairobi, where he outlined his campaign agenda. The no-nonsense former CS, often considered an outsider in the political circles, dismissed critics labelling him as elitist and disconnected from ordinary citizens. “We will ensure that we have spoken to all our citizens, built good relationships, and brought our people together to lift our country out of the difficulties we have faced due to poor leadership. They say I am educated, elitist, that I cannot go to the grassroots; we will meet in the villages seeking votes. We’ll make a difference,” Matiang’i stated.
The former Interior CS did not shy away from criticising President William Ruto’s administration, particularly its handling of key sectors such as education and health. He warned that mismanagement in these areas could lead to school dropout rates rising to 30% or more, placing the nation’s future at risk. “When we discuss these things, this is not about politics. This is about the lives of our children and our people. We should be dispassionate about it, respectful, put issues forward and ask those of our colleagues who are in government to be human enough to think about our people. What is going to happen to our children? What is going to happen? We are going to have dropouts. It could very easily go to probably up to 30% or beyond when we open schools because of this kind of recklessness that you are seeing,” he warned. What is Matiang’i appeal to Jubilee members? Matiang’i further urged party members to focus on unity and collective action rather than indulging in internal disputes or attacking opponents. He described the period as a pre-cursor to how the party would perform when put under pressure and facing its most difficult tests.
The 2027 presidential hopeful argued that it would be absurd to seek support from Kenyans before the former president Uhuru Kenyatta-led party puts its house in order. “The party, the party leadership, and the way we are moving forward is like that exam called a MOCK, my brothers and sisters, if you forget everything I have told you today, do not forget this. We will not go to convince Kenyans to entrust us with government when we cannot manage ourselves as a party. So bear in mind, wherever you go, that we are looking for leadership,” he explained. He reiterated Uhuru’s call for civil political engagements, emphasising a campaign approach rooted in respect and collaboration. The former CS dismissed the elitist narrative around his style of politics. Photo: Jermiah Kioni. Source: UGC Matiang’i said it’s against the party’s identity to trade expletives with their opponents or coalition partners. “I believe this campaign that we are going to involve ourselves in, we are going to conquer this time around with love. We cannot engage in that business of insulting people. That is not the standard of Jubilee; that is below the standard of Jubilee,” Matiang’i added.
By Didacus Malowa
