Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is quietly stitching together a political pact with six parties as he prepares for a possible 2027 presidential run, in what could reshape Kenya’s opposition landscape.
According to insiders, the ongoing talks could culminate in either a coalition party or a merger, aimed at mounting a serious challenge against President William Ruto. Matiang’i has in recent weeks intensified consultations with leaders across the country, including three from Mt Kenya, a region viewed as former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua’s stronghold.
The latest strategy meeting, held in Karen on Thursday, brought together former Agriculture CS Peter Munya of PNU, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo, UPA’s Jacob Bagaka, PDP leader Omingo Magara, Kenya Social Congress leader Atati Kengere, and Lenny Kivuti of the Devolution Empowerment Party.
Sources indicate the leaders agreed to form a technical team to explore legal and political frameworks for building a joint platform. Each party nominated one representative, with a preliminary report expected in the coming weeks before the group reconvenes to review progress.
Matiang’i’s outreach in Mt Kenya is seen as a direct test of Gachagua’s influence in the region, with some allies of the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua dismissing him as lacking the grassroots networks necessary for a strong campaign.
Despite the skepticism, Matiang’i’s allies insist the coalition-building drive signals his determination to enter the 2027 race as a credible contender, separate from other opposition heavyweights already eyeing State House.
