REVEALED: Inside Uhuru's High-Profile Meeting Over Matiang'i Presidency

REVEALED: Inside Uhuru’s High-Profile Meeting Over Matiang’i Presidency

On Wednesday, February 5, former President Uhuru Kenyatta backed Fred Matiang’i as the Jubilee Party’s presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 elections.

According to reports from a high-level meeting of senior officials, Uhuru supported Matiang’i’s candidacy and instructed him to speed up his campaign activities around the country.

Kenyatta, Matiang’i, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, former ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, and Andrew Wakahiu, former head of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), were all in attendance.

In the meeting, which also included Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Uhuru directed Matiang’i to join other political figures opposing President Ruto’s administration, amongst them Rigathi Gachagua.

“They (Uhuru & co) said that they would be happy if Kenyans would accept Matiang’i as their Jubilee presidential candidate,” Kioni stated.

“They have also emphasised the need to ensure that we are working with other like-minded leaders who also believe that UDA (United Democratic Alliance) have mismanaged the affairs of this country,” he added.

JUBILEE PARTY POLITICS

Jeremiah Kioni says the Party is committed to supporting former Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i in his quest for the country’s top leadership in the 2027 elections.#KBCniYetu pic.twitter.com/cUFiI1Rl5m
— KBC Channel 1 News (@KBCChannel1) January 29, 2025

Kioni explained the decision to collaborate with Gachagua, saying that the former DP’s strong determination to keep the administration in check since his departure from the halls of power was admirable and highly advantageous in the campaign for State House.

“Rigathi is doing some commendable work. I do not know if anyone has the capacity to do what he has done (since his exit) and that is someone we would like to have on board,” the SG stated.

Aside from endorsing Matiang’i, Uhuru recommended the Opposition not to rush into building a coalition and instead focus on forming political parties that will provide a solid framework for future partnerships.

Uhuru’s recent move is expected to throw a wrench in the works as the contest for the 2027 General Elections heats up, with leaders from all sides laying out their plans for the polls.

MATIANG'I THE 6TH

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party has selected Fred Matiangi as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election, with Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni stating that the former Interior CS is well-suited to challenge President Ruto.#NewsHour pic.twitter.com/Ymuiq7koD8
— Nyanducha Edward (@nyanducha) February 5, 2025

It also looks like Uhuru has changed his stance toward Gachagua, who constantly attacked the former President throughout the 2022 General Elections campaign route.

Gachagua later apologized and acknowledged Uhuru as the Mount Kenya kingpin.

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The current incident came at a time when Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, and Martha Karua looked to be working together to remove Ruto from power.

However, each politician has been wary about any formal agreement, preferring to focus on making Ruto a one-term president instead. Details on who would lead the partnership, if created, have also remained unclear.

Ruto, for his part, emphasized that he faced no challenge in the approaching elections, stressing that his only rival is his development record.

The current President, who appears to have closed ranks with Raila Odinga, maintained that he would claim a sweeping victory in the 2027 ballot.

REVEALED: Inside Uhuru’s High-Profile Meeting Over Matiang’i Presidency