Matiang’i dismisses claims of being Ruto project ahead of 2027 showdown

Presidential hopeful Dr. Fred Matiang'i has rejected claims that he is a government project secretly collaborating with President William Ruto to scatter the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at Muthara, Tigania East Constituency, Meru County, during the funeral service of Peter Munya's grandmother, Judith Mwakairo, the Jubilee Party member urged the United Opposition to embrace democracy by respecting different views from each principal.

“Hawa watu wameshindwa na kazi, sasa kazi yao ni kulipa bloggers waseme Kalonzo, Matiang’i sijui wameenda wapi! A government by blogging. Vijana tafadhali chukueni kura. Mimi niko tayari kufanya kazi na viongozi wote. Kuongoza ni teamwork. Ikiwa ni kusema lazima iwe ni maoni yangu, basi hiyo ni kuharibu demokrasia,” said Matiang’i.

“Wananchi, don’t lose hope. This government’s mismanagement is for a short period. I will restore Linda Mama immediately if elected as president today. And stop affordable housing — why pay for a house you are not going to live in?”

PNU party leader Peter Munya reiterated that the opposition's flag bearer will not emerge from the boardroom, even as Jubilee’s Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni stated that Matiang'i is the party's presidential candidate.

“We don't want boardroom decisions on who will be the flag bearer in the United Opposition. It must be one who is preferred publicly, and a formula for choosing must be formulated and followed. Lazima kukuwe na uwazi na utaratibu,” Munya stated.

Kioni added, “Track record must define who will be the flag bearer in the United Opposition, whether you served for two weeks or two years. Sisi kama Jubilee, our preferred candidate is Matiang’i.”

Some members in government and opposition have been alleging that the former Interior Cabinet Secretary is a State project meant to stabilize the opposition.