Jubilee Party aspirants tell Ruto camp to stop ‘hunting’ for Matiang’i

Several aspirants from the Gusii region within the Jubilee Party have rejected entreaties from pro-government leaders urging former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to abandon his aspirations for the 2027 presidential election and join President William Ruto’s administration. The aspirants firmly stated that Matiang’i would not be swayed from his presidential bid by what they described as political maneuvers aimed at weakening the opposition.

Notably, Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda recently urged Matiang’i to abandon the opposition and support President Ruto, claiming that the opposition was considering fronting Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka instead. However, the Jubilee aspirants insisted that Matiang’i remained dedicated to seeking the presidency in 2027 and that no emissary could persuade him otherwise.

They also vowed to conduct joint campaigns across the Gusii region to popularize his candidature. Borabu parliamentary hopeful and activist Morara Kebaso emphasized that Matiang’i was not seeking a position within another government and intended to form his own government after winning the 2027 election. The aspirants dismissed calls for Matiang’i to join Ruto’s administration as an attempt to distract voters from pressing issues.

Wilkins Michira, commonly known as Omochokoro, stated that Matiang’i had a national agenda that could not be reduced to discussions over government positions. He emphasized that the people would decide in 2027, and Matiang’i would not be coerced into a government role without popular mandate. Nyaribari Masaba parliamentary hopeful Bouse Mairura accused government allies of attempting to dissuade Matiang’i supporters before the 2027 campaign had gained significant momentum.

Mairura vowed that they would not be intimidated and would disseminate Matiang’i’s message to every village, market, and center in Gusii. Aspiring Nyamira Senator Adams Mochenu noted that the calls demonstrated growing anxiety within government circles over Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions. He suggested that Matiang’i’s growing support base and the competitive nature of the 2027 contest were clear indicators of his relevance.

Nyaribari Chache aspirant Brian Gori affirmed that the aspirants would work together to bolster Matiang’i’s support base. They emphasized that their focus was on organizing, mobilizing, and convincing the public that Kenya needed a new direction under Matiang’i’s leadership. The aspirants pledged readiness to take Matiang’i’s message to various platforms, including villages, markets, churches, and political gatherings, insisting that the former Cabinet Secretary remained their preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

They vowed to resist what they termed political intimidation and "last-minute maneuvers" that might derail Matiang’i’s ambitions. Mairura highlighted Matiang’i’s proven track record in government, particularly his reputation for firmness and effective implementation, as a cornerstone of their campaign. They challenged those urging Matiang’i to join the Ruto administration to explain their fear of facing him at the ballot.

The aspirants continued to engage with journalists before heading to Nyaguku area in Itumbe, Bobasi, to campaign for Michira, where they addressed hundreds of residents at Nyaguku Primary School playgrounds. Michira, a Bobasi Constituency aspirant, pledged to focus on road improvement and school infrastructure if elected, addressing the major challenges of poor roads and dilapidated learning facilities in the region.

The aspirants reiterated their commitment to expanding Matiang’i’s support across the Gusii region ahead of the 2027 elections.