Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has made a decisive political comeback, joining former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s growing opposition camp. During a high-profile meeting on April 29 in Nairobi, Gachagua hailed Matiang’i and two other former Cabinet Secretaries Justin Muturi and Mithika Linturi as being “on the right side of history.”
The three leaders, who had previously supported President William Ruto in the 2022 elections, had since fallen out with the Kenya Kwanza administration. Their move to the opposition signals a significant realignment ahead of the 2027 general election.
“The team to liberate Kenya gets bigger every day,” Gachagua posted on X. “Welcome, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Hon. JB Muturi, and Hon. Mithika Linturi you are on the right side of history.”
The meeting was attended by key figures in the opposition, including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, NARC Kenya leader Martha Karua, DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, and former minister Mukhisa Kituyi. Also present was Jubilee Party National Chairman Saitoti Torome, reinforcing the seriousness of the discussions underway.
Matiang’i’s entry is expected to bolster the coalition’s credibility and influence, particularly in the Gusii region. Plans are underway for a major cultural and political installation ceremony at Gusii Stadium, where elders are set to formally endorse Matiang’i’s leadership. The event, anticipated to draw national attention, may also shed light on his presidential ambitions.
While Gachagua has declared his intent to run for president in 2027, he emphasized unity, stating that the coalition will settle on one candidate after internal consultations. “Even if it’s not me, I will support whoever we settle on,” he affirmed.
The opposition alliance, buoyed by recent high-profile defections, is now focusing on strengthening its national reach and preparing a united front to challenge President Ruto’s re-election bid. Gachagua is expected to launch his 2027 political vehicle next month, a move that could consolidate his influence in the Mt. Kenya region.
With the political landscape rapidly shifting, the April 29 meeting may mark a turning point in Kenya’s road to 2027.
