Matiang’i: I will fight corruption with more zeal than I fought exam cheating

Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i has vowed to fight corruption with the same fervour he employed to combat examination cheating, stating he would also refrain from government contracts if elected president. During a speech on October 7, 2026, he argued that leaders must circumvent circumstances that could hamper their capacity to combat corruption.

"I will fight corruption with more zeal than I fought exam cheating. I will not do business with the government, and we can end the corruption vices. That is what Kenya needs," he declared.

Matiang’i, the former Education and Interior Cabinet Secretary, posited that Kenya already possesses sufficient laws and institutions to tackle corruption, implying no new legislation or investigative bodies are necessary. "In matters of corruption, we do not need new laws; we have enough. We also do not need new commissions because we have enough.

What we need is honest, forthright and courageous leadership," he emphasized. He connected the battle against corruption to the conduct of those in positions of authority, asserting that leaders must exemplify the standards they expect from the populace.

The candidate vowed to lead by example, insisting that public office should not serve as a conduit to private fortune. "I have no interest in money, and I am not looking for money. I have to lead by example," he affirmed. Matiang’i raised concerns about the administration of public programmes, including the Social Health Authority (SHA), housing initiatives, and the eCitizen platform, citing audit reports highlighting unsupported balances and procurement irregularities on eCitizen. These issues, he argued, raise questions about the governance of public entities.

Furthermore, Matiang’i addressed the sugar sector, criticizing the persistence of challenges faced by State-owned mills while private sugar companies thrive. He attributed this disparity to cartel activities and called for enhanced accountability within public enterprises. His tenure as Education Cabinet Secretary was marked by initiatives to curb cheating during national examinations, an experience he now uses as a basis for his approach to governance.

As the Jubilee Party's flagbearer, Matiang’i has underscored political will, accountability, and leading by example as central tenets of his campaign. He has also advocated for greater participation of younger individuals in decision-making processes, criticizing perceived shortcomings in governance and public accountability. Matiang’i’s presidential bid arrives amid heightened competition among opposition parties and politicians as they prepare for the 2027 election, with governance, corruption, economic conditions, and public service provision anticipated to dominate the political discourse.