Matiang’i rising: A new deal for Kenya?

In a bold and unexpected turn in fast-shifting political game, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has launched a stealthy but potent campaign to ascend to the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
Once viewed as a technocrat with little political ambition, Matiang’i is now emerging as a frontrunner in what insiders are calling a “silent revolution”, a movement powered by youthful energy, strategic alliances, and growing public dissatisfaction with traditional political powerhouses.
The former CS, who served under President Uhuru Kenyatta, has re-entered the public spotlight, this time not as a government enforcer but as a unifying figure in a fractured opposition. His campaign, though yet to be officially declared, has taken shape through a series of coordinated regional engagements, high-level endorsements, and a growing grassroots movement that is captivating Gen Z voters across the country.
Today, Matiang’i, flanked by a surprise political ally,Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and a slew of emerging leaders, made a spirited tour of several town centers in Gusiiland. Their mission was clear: to rally support from the electorate and build momentum for a campaign that promises to disrupt the status quo.
The political comeback of Matiang’i has not been a solo effort. Sources close to the former CS revealed to Kurunzi News that he has been holding a series of behind-the-scenes meetings with key political players disillusioned by the current administration’s economic management and political inclusivity.
Perhaps the most astonishing development is the support of Rigathi Gachagua, President Ruto’s estranged deputy, whom after his ouster has remained a key citric of the regime and its troops.In a joint appearance today in Kisii Town, leaders lauded Matiang’i’s leadership style, describing him as “a principled, fearless and unifying figure Kenya desperately needs.”
“Fred Matiang’i is not a man of many words, but when he speaks, he acts. He has shown that leadership is not about populism but about service delivery. This country needs a new direction, and I believe the time has come,” Onyonka declared to a roaring crowd.
This new alliance has startled political analysts who once saw Matiang’i and wamunyoro as ideologically incompatible. However, shared grievances over the concentration of power and economic hardship appear to have forged an unlikely but potent bond.
Driving Matiang’i’s re-emergence is a groundswell of support from Kenya’s youth — particularly Gen Z, a demographic that played a significant role in shaping discourse during the 2022 elections but has since grown disillusioned by unmet promises and skyrocketing living costs.
In the digital trenches of TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, young Kenyans are rallying around Matiang’i, whom they see as a “clean slate” untainted by corruption scandals and remembered for his no-nonsense leadership style during his time in government.
“This man shut down cheating in national exams, enforced order in public offices, and never cowered before powerful cartels. We stan!” read one viral TikTok caption from a user in Mombasa. The clip, featuring Matiang’i confronting defiant state officers during his Interior Ministry days, has been viewed over 500,000 times.
Youth leaders accompanying Matiang’i on the Gusiiland tour confirmed that a coordinated digital movement, dubbed “Matiang’i 2027,” is in the works. Already, WhatsApp and Telegram groups in Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Nakuru are mobilizing youths to form campaign cells focused on civic education, digital propaganda, and voter registration.
“We are tired of recycled politicians. Dr. Matiang’i offers us hope. He represents competence, order, and a future we can believe in,” said Sylvia Mogaka, a 23-year-old student leader at Kisii University.
Anti-establishment surge
Matiang’i’s campaign has also attracted a coalition of what political insiders are calling “anti-broad-based politicians” — leaders disenchanted with the increasingly centralized governance under President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
Among those spotted with Matiang’i today were former governors, youthful parliamentarians, and civic activists from across the political divide. While the former CS has yet to unveil a formal political vehicle, insiders hint at a broader plan to either hijack an existing party or create a new national movement modeled on efficiency, youth empowerment, and regional inclusion.
“Matiang’i is what Raila was to the 2000s — a force of resistance, a man of the people,” said Onyoka. “But what gives him an edge is that he has actually worked within the system and understands how to fix it.”
From Gusii to the nation
The choice of Kisii as the launchpad for this political mobilization is both symbolic and strategic. As Matiang’i’s ancestral home, Gusii region offers him a secure base of loyal supporters — a political stronghold from which he hopes to fan a national flame.
Today’s tour saw his convoy snake through Kisii Town, Keroka, Nyamira, and Ogembo. The reception was overwhelming: spontaneous chants of “Matiang’i Tosha!” filled the air, and thousands of residents lined the roads waving placards and national flags.
In speeches that were equal parts sober and fiery, Matiang’i emphasized the need for a leadership that listens, delivers, and unites.
“Kenya doesn’t need another loud politician; Kenya needs a doer,” he said during a rally in Nyamira. “We must move from empty rhetoric to real reforms. The youth want jobs, not jokes. Farmers want markets, not manifestos. Let’s get to work.”
Despite the fanfare, Matiang’i’s path to State House will not be a walk in the park. He faces stiff competition from seasoned political titans including President Ruto, who is expected to seek a second term, and perennial opposition leader Raila Odinga, who remains a formidable force even if he doesn’t run.
Moreover, Matiang’i must contend with the challenge of building a political machine from scratch, or wresting control of one from existing power brokers.
But if today’s events are anything to go by, the former CS is no longer a backroom operator. He is in the arena — battle-hardened, crowd-backed, and increasingly viewed as a man whose time may have come.