Matiang'i is qualified to lead Kenya - Gachagua

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed strong support for Fred Matiang’i, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary, as a qualified candidate to lead Kenya.

Speaking during an interview with Egesa FM on Monday, Gachagua highlighted Matiang’i’s impressive track record, having held key positions in various ministries under President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration.

“Matiang’i did a good job when he was the Security Minister and when he served in the Education and ICT dockets. He is qualified, competent, and suitable to be the President of Kenya,” Gachagua said, emphasising the former CS’s ability to effectively serve the nation.

However, Gachagua pointed out that while Matiang’i has the qualifications to lead, he will not be able to win the presidency without the backing of his home region. He called on the Gusii community to unite and provide strong support to Matiang’i in his bid to secure the opposition alliance's presidential ticket.

“I can’t go to Mount Kenya and ask my people to support Matiang’i when he has no support from home. For him to have a chance, he must first demonstrate that he has the support of the entire Omogusii community,” Gachagua said.

The ex-DP proposed that the Gusii community should aim to secure at least 2.5 million votes from Kisii and Nyamira counties, as well as from the local and diaspora populations, to make Matiang’i a strong contender in the 2027 race.

“Time has come for the Omogusii community to vote as a bloc and avoid splitting their votes if they want to secure Matiang’i a position as President, Deputy President, or Prime Cabinet Secretary,” he said.

He also cautioned that Matiang’i must earn the respect of local leaders to ensure broad acceptance across the country. He pointed to some community leaders, including Kisii Governor Simba Arati and MPs Sylvanus Osoro and Japheth Nyakundi, who have been critical of Matiang’i’s political rise.

“What I’m looking for is evidence that the Gusii community has accepted Matiang’i as its leader. We don’t want to see some leaders insulting him while the community elders fail to speak out,” he added.

"Disappointed"

The former DP expressed disappointment in the current administration, apologising to Kenyans for having supported President Ruto in the past. He acknowledged that he had been misled by Ruto, whom he once trusted but now describes as a liar.

“I apologise to Kenyans because I didn’t know this person. I trusted him—he came with a Bible and pretended to be saved. I loved him and believed him, and that’s how we ended up in this mess. After living with him for a year, I realised he is a liar,” Gachagua said.

Further in the interview, Gachagua alleged that President Ruto had vetoed the selection of Charles Nyachae as the next IEBC chairperson. He claimed that despite Nyachae’s qualifications, Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon, citing longstanding tensions between the President and the Kisii community.

“The president does not wish well for the Kisii community. We have received reports that Nyachae was the preferred candidate to be the IEBC chairman. The president rejected him,” Gachagua claimed.

He attributed the rift to a violent incident during the 2007 elections, when the late Simeon Nyachae allegedly clashed with Ruto in South Mugirango. Gachagua suggested that Ruto’s anger towards the Kisii community stems from that episode.

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“The one who has been appointed was Nanok's employee, and Nanok serves the President. So they will be trying to control the IEBC from State House,” Gachagua added, referring to Ethekon's close ties with Ruto’s deputy chief of staff, Josphat Nanok.

Despite the political challenges, Gachagua expressed confidence that the opposition coalition would field a single candidate to challenge President Ruto in 2027. He outlined plans to involve experts in formulating a strategy for selecting key government positions, including the President and Deputy President.

Gachagua also hinted at launching a new political faction later this month, with plans to work alongside several prominent political figures, including Matiang’i, former Public Service CS Justin Muturi, ex-Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People Liberation’s Party Martha Karua, DAPK party leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Mukhisa Kituyi, to shape the 2027 presidential race.

“We shall bring in experts to help us craft a formula to determine who becomes President, Deputy President, and Prime Cabinet Secretary, so that we can form a brand-new government,” he said.