Matiang'i's presidential bid sparks political storm

The presidential candidature of former cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i is causing a political storm.

Whether his desire to make President William Ruto the first one-term head of State will have succeeded or not is gaining traction on the lips of observers keen to watch his steps.

After a significant period of speculation over his interest in the presidency, Matiang'i returned to the country last week on Thursday, where a handful of supporters received him.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, who have led the crusade for the Matiang'i quest, were at the forefront in receiving him at the airport.

Political pundits have now raised considerable options on Matiang’i’s capability to upset the political status quo. Political commentator and High Court Advocate Ambrose Weda pours cold water on Matiang'i's dream. When The Eastleigh Voice sought his view, he asked, “Who are his supporters?”

According to Weda, the backing of Matiang’i by ex-president Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jubilee Party may not be instrumental or helpful to him.

“That team lost the last time elections were held. Do you feel Matiangi in the air? He could not marshal enough to welcome him at the airport. What about the route to the State House, which needs more people?” said Weda.

Low profile

For more than a year, Matiang'i has kept a relatively low profile abroad, avoiding the limelight and making few public statements. Matiang'i, who rose through the ranks of Kenyatta's administration, has been praised for his tough stance on public service delivery and security.

There is the view that he could emerge as a key challenger in a race expected to attract heavyweights such as President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga (if he decides to run) and other rising political figures.

During a recent delegates' meeting in Keumbu, Kisii County, on April 6, Kioni reiterated that the former CS had been cleared to fly the party's flag.

“When we say Matiang’i, we mean leadership that understands service. He chaired key government committees and ensured the delivery of crucial national programmes. He is not a stranger to responsibility,” he said.

Kioni contrasted Matiang'i's track record with that of current leaders, accusing some of prioritising politics over governance.

“Even before 2017, Ruto had already started politicking. He barely had time for the office. But Matiang’i understands governance. He’s focused, firm, and proven.”

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Lawyer Miguna Miguna thinks Mating’i has no chances owing to his record of disrespecting rights and freedoms, while Mark Bichachi, another notable political analyst, says that the former cabinet secretary’s long absence may be his undoing.

“Matiangi can attract some political interest in the country. But the more he stays away from Kenya and politics, the less of an impact he will have. His silence also doesn’t do him any favours, nor does he focus sojourn in the USA,” said Bichachi.

So much is Senator Onyonka protective of Matiang'i's bid that he has dismissed former Chief Justice David Maraga’s State House quest, arguing that the former CJ is not well-versed in the challenges currently afflicting the country, and is out to spoil for the former cabinet secretary in the Kisii backyard.

According to him, Maraga’s moral uprightness does not make him an ideal candidate to steer the country forward, as a presidential contest demands much more.

“It is public knowledge that Matiang’i demonstrated exemplary leadership during his tenure as Cabinet Secretary for various ministries. From Education to Interior, he made remarkable strides in service delivery to Kenyans,” added Onyonka.

It was reported in 2024 that Matiang’i had hired a Montreal-based Canadian lobbying firm to help firm his bid. He had inked a consultancy agreement with the firm, Dickens & Madson, on July 29, 2024, to support his efforts to become President in 2027.

Documents showed that Matiang'i had already paid a down payment of $65,000 (Sh8.4 million) at the time of the agreement and will also pay a retainer of $250,000 (Sh32.3 million).

In the private document, the firm says it will "provide media and public relations services on behalf of the foreign principal's (Matiang'i) goals and activities" and also lobby the executive and/or legislative branches of the US government to support Matiang'i's presidential ambitions.

Montreal's Dickens & Madson has also proposed to assist Matiang'i in preparing and disseminating necessary informational materials. The lobbying firm has also indicated that the term of the agreement shall be for one year and renewable upon mutual agreement.

During his time in office as interior minister, he was highly praised by Kenyans as a capable and effective leader due to his efforts to enhance national security, which reduced terrorism threats from the Somali-based Al Shabaab terrorist group. Al Shabaab had been crossing into Kenya and committing attacks such as the Westgate shopping mall shooting in September 2013 in Nairobi.

Matiang'i supporters portray him as a strong, forthright character and claim he is incorruptible. They recall when he introduced measures to curb rampant exam cheating during his tenure as Education Cabinet Secretary between 2015 and 2018.

In Uhuru’s first term as president, Matiang’i was entrusted to lead the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology, where he oversaw the ambitious migration from analogue to digital TV broadcasting despite resistance from private media owners.