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Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i returned to his native Gusii region on Friday, May 2, to a hero’s welcome, signaling what many see as the early stirrings of a united opposition push against President William Ruto’s administration.
It was Matiang’i’s first major public appearance since he exited government in 2022 following the transition of power. His homecoming was marked by emotional scenes; locals waving placards, chanting slogans, and lining the road from Nyansiongo through Kisii to Nyamira. The region, which had once voted overwhelmingly for the Azimio coalition, seemed eager to embrace a new chapter in the opposition’s story, with Matiang’i at the center of it.
While Matiang’i stopped short of declaring a presidential bid, his message was pointed and deliberate.
He told supporters he was ready to partner with like-minded leaders to help redefine Kenya’s political future. “I have listened and accepted what Kenyans want. Allow me to join with other like-minded leaders and work together towards this course,” he said to thunderous approval. The crowd chanted back, “Ruto must go,” in scenes reminiscent of past waves of opposition momentum in Kenya’s political history.
The former minister’s remarks come amid renewed political ferment following last year’s violent youth-led protests against the government’s Finance Bill. That unrest, alongside widening economic grievances, has revived calls for an alternative political vision heading into the 2027 general elections.
Matiang’i’s tour; dubbed a “listening caravan” by his aides, is more of a political recalibration. Stops in Kisii, Nyamira, Keumbu, and Keroka are designed to assess public sentiment, especially as Kenya’s middle belt becomes a potential swing region.
His campaign trail included heavyweights from the Gusii political elite: Governors Simba Arati and Amos Nyaribo, Senators Richard Onyonka and Okong’o O’ Mogeni, and several lawmakers. Their visible solidarity added momentum to speculation that the Gusii bloc might be preparing to stake a more strategic claim in national leadership.
Matiang’i’s re-emergence comes just weeks after a high-level consultative meeting in Nairobi brought together several past and potential presidential contenders; including Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and Mukhisa Kituyi. Notably, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached in 2024 under controversial circumstances, also attended.
The Nairobi summit signaled the possibility of a “grand opposition coalition,” with discussions reportedly centered on building a broad-based alternative that could present a single candidate in 2027. Gachagua, once seen as Ruto’s heir apparent, has since repositioned himself as a pragmatist. “Even if it’s not me, I will support whoever we settle on,” he said.
Analysts say Matiang’i brings to the table a technocratic edge and a reputation for order, especially given his tenure in the powerful Interior Ministry, where he oversaw security and public service reforms. Though viewed as close to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Matiang’i has kept a low profile since Ruto assumed office, avoiding overt political pronouncements until now.
His supporters argue that his blend of discipline, governance experience, and moderate political tone could resonate with a public disillusioned by polarizing rhetoric and worsening economic conditions.
International observers, too, are watching closely. Kenya remains a vital economic hub in East Africa, and any realignment in its politics; especially one that could temper rising authoritarian tendencies, will have implications for the region’s stability.
Whether Matiang’i will lead the opposition front or play a kingmaker role remains to be seen. What’s clear, however, is that his presence has electrified Kenya’s political scene at a time when the opposition is searching for direction, and a unifying figure.
“This is not just about politics, it’s about national liberation,” he told the crowd. “The time to walk together has come.”
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