Fred Matiang’i Responds to Claims of Being Uhuru’s Project
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has dismissed the notion that he’s merely a political project of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He emphasized that he hasn’t yet committed to any political party and is actively consulting across the political landscape.
In an exclusive interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, Matiang’i reiterated that his political journey, as he aims for the presidency in 2027, remains open to partnerships with any party that shares his vision.
He pointed out that it’s still too early to take a definitive stance, despite numerous reports suggesting that various political parties are eager to have him as their presidential candidate. He believes that making a choice now could hinder his efforts to build broad support throughout the country.
“I am in consultations with a number of political parties and a number of political leaders across the board. I honestly think that if I made a choice now and stuck to one political party, I would disadvantage the others with whom we are having a discussion,” he said.
Matiang’i, who held three different positions during Uhuru’s decade in office, emphasized that just because he was a close ally of the former President, it didn’t mean he was merely a puppet. He pointed out that the retired leader collaborated with many others, some of whom are still part of the current government.
He also dismissed the narrative surrounding his presidential ambitions, clarifying that he never sought the ex-President’s endorsement for his run.
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“There are things that people tell you that, when you sit back and analyse them, they won’t make sense even to a fool. It is an indelible historical fact that Uhuru appointed me to his Cabinet and I served in his Cabinet for 10 years in three portfolios,” said Matiang’i.
“Cumulatively, for the 10 years he was President, he appointed close to 30 or so people to his Cabinet. Some of them are still serving to this day. Others have risen to other functions. Am I a project by deed of the fact that I served in Uhuru’s Cabinet? And if it is a question of service, why not ask me if I am a project of the World Bank because I have just come from the World Bank?”
He added: “I have not asked him (Uhuru) whether I should run or not, but we discuss other Kenyan affairs every time we have an opportunity.”
Matiang’i mentioned that he’s still in the process of having extensive discussions and will only settle on his political path after talking to a diverse group of Kenyans.
He also shared that multiple parties have reached out to him, expressing interest in collaborating as they gear up for the 2027 elections.
“I would rather have sufficient conversations and discussions with Kenyans across the board before I finally say this is the format I would like to represent myself to the IEBC. You will hear more associating themselves with me and in fact, this afternoon I’m meeting a political party which is asking if we can work together. And I have been asked this by about 7 to 8 parties,” he said.
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“It is flattering that we have political leaders in so many political parties sitting down in their Executive committees saying maybe Matiang’i should be our captain even before I ask them, and they are asking me, can you become our candidate? I don’t want to close the door on anyone, I want to have very comprehensive, inclusive and exhaustive discussions with everyone, then we come together and work on a coalition.”
He emphasized how crucial it is for everyone to come together as we approach the next General Election, suggesting that in today’s democratic landscape, no single party is likely to secure a majority on its own.
“We are better off as a country when we work together,” he said.
The comments made by Matiang’i come just a few months after the Jubilee Party officially backed him as their chosen candidate for president. Political analysts have labeled him as a project of the former Head of State.
Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni mentioned that this endorsement places Matiang’i in a strong position as a leading contender for the party’s official flagbearer, paving the way for intense rivalry among the opposition for the 2027 presidential nomination.
“We’ve settled on Matiangi as our candidate. Not to mean that he becomes an eventual presidential candidate but a presidential candidate within the party who would then join others in coming up with one person, who I believe as a coalition, we will be able to back,” Kioni said in February this year.
Fred Matiang’i Responds to Claims of Being Uhuru’s Project
