Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Okengo Matiang’i was treated to a heroic welcome in the Gusii region on Friday, during his first public appearance since leaving office in 2022.
Matiang’i landed back in the country on April 18 after a two-year stay in the United States of America.
His “Meet the People” tour was highly successful, with thousands of locals thronging the streets in jubilation as he made his way to Kisii town. He made a series of stopovers, acknowledging greetings from residents who considered his resurfacing as the region’s gateway to the presidency.
While addressing a charged crowd inside the Gusii Stadium, Matiang’i declared his 2027 presidential bid, becoming the latest leader to show interest in the country’s top seat.
He urged the locals to keep their hopes high while working towards forging alliances with other leaders to ensure President William Ruto becomes the first head of state to serve for only one term in Kenya’s history.
“I want to ask you, my fellow citizens, let us not lose hope. Let us not give up on our country. We must hold on to faith. Kenya is a country built on resilience,” he said amid cheers.
“All these problems we are facing today will come to an end. We must hold on together as one. And when that time comes, we shall cross that bridge together. God will help us fix this situation,” he assured the crowd.
The former CS, who had been endorsed by the Jubilee Party as its presidential flag bearer, called for unity in the region and also urged his constituents to register massively as voters.
“We have agreed, all of us, to walk this journey together. Let us stand united. Let us move forward hand in hand and, most importantly, let us ensure we register to vote and actually cast our votes,” he reiterated.
Matiang’i was flanked by leaders, including Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his Nyamira counterpart Amos Nyaribo, Senators Richard Onyonka and Gloria Orwoba, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, alongside MPs and MCAs.
In his speech, Governor Arati, who is also ODM deputy party leader, urged Matiang’i to extend his popularization tour beyond the Gusii region. He asserted that the people were fed up with the current regime and were willing to embrace new blood at the helm of the country’s leadership.
On her part, Orwoba, who is a UDA nominated senator, said it was time for the Gusii region to have a taste of the top seat at the decision-making table. She promised to rally all women behind Matiang’i.
“We as women are looking for a house where we can live in peace, and we say if that house belongs to Matiang’i, then we will be inside,” Orwoba stated.
With Matiang’i’s bid, it now means the region currently has two presidential hopefuls. This follows the former Chief Justice David Maraga, who also hails from Nyamira County, declaring his intention to unseat Ruto.
