Matiang’i will be on the ballot in 2027, jail or no jail - Jubilee SG Kioni declares

Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has warned against what he says are plans to institute legal cases against former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i, saying attempts to delay his political ambitions are bound to fail.

Speaking in Keumbu, Kisii County, during the party's delegates meeting on Friday, Kioni maintained that Dr Matiang’i has already been given the green light to fly the party’s flag come 2027.

He also used the opportunity to warn locals to beware of a section of leaders moving around the Gusii region to sow seeds of disunity ahead of the polls.

"Nimeskia mambo hapa watu wanakuja kusema ‘unity, unity’ na wao ndio wanaleta disunity, sababu wametumwa hapa kuchukua kundi fulani waitowe kwa hawa wengi. Watasema Matiang’i ako na makosa sijui 28 ama 44—whatever number he is given hiyo ni yao. Lakini hata wamueke jela, tutachagua yeye,” said Kioni.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni, who was speaking at a funeral event at Nyakeore in West Mugirango.

Omogeni vowed to stand with Matiang’i despite alleged plans to topple his aspiration to vie for the topmost seat come the general election.

"Rais wetu wa taifa Mheshimiwa William Ruto, sisi tunakuomba vile tunaelekea uchaguzi wa 2027, hatutaki maneno ya fitina kwa wale wanaotaka kumenyana nawe 2027. Hatutaki mambo ya kusikia eti mtu akitaka kusimama mnataka kumtisha. Apewe nafasi asimame. Watu wa West Mugirango mnakubaliana na mimi kijana wetu asitishwe,” Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni said.