Jubilee Deputy Party leader Fred Matiang’i has openly addressed growing speculation about a possible political “handshake” with President William Ruto as the country slowly shifts focus toward the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a recent interview, Matiang’i firmly dismissed any idea of joining forces with the Head of State. He made it clear that such a move would go against his long-term political goals and the direction he believes the country should take.
In his view, working with Ruto would not only be unnecessary but could also undermine the principles he is currently standing for within the opposition.
Matiang’i, who has in recent months emerged as a key figure within the united opposition movement, pointed to what he described as a consistent pattern in Ruto’s political relationships.
According to him, the President has often fallen out with his close allies, making any potential partnership unstable and unreliable.
He questioned the logic behind such an alliance, asking what exactly they would collaborate on, especially considering the current tensions within Ruto’s own political camp.
Matiang’i argued that the President is already facing disagreements with individuals he has worked closely with, suggesting that bringing in new partners would not solve the underlying issues. He sarcastically added that he could not see how he would make any difference in such a situation.
At the same time, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary took aim at the Kenya Kwanza administration over ongoing fuel-related controversies.
He accused the government of creating unnecessary problems within the energy sector, claiming that certain decisions were being influenced by powerful individuals seeking personal gain.
Matiang’i expressed concern about what he described as the growing influence of cartels, saying that such groups appear to be operating freely without proper government control.
He argued that if he were in charge, he would not allow private interests to dominate such a critical sector.
He also questioned why the government had entered into agreements with private companies that, in his opinion, do not serve the public interest.
On his political future, Matiang’i did not hold back. He confidently declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2027, even as the opposition coalition continues to struggle with agreeing on a single candidate.
His remarks signal a strong belief in his chances, as he emphasized that he does not take on major political ambitions lightly.
Within the same opposition camp, several other prominent leaders have also expressed interest in the top seat. These include Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Despite being part of the same political faction, each of these leaders appears determined to pursue their own presidential ambitions, setting the stage for intense internal competition.
Matiang’i maintained that he is fully committed to his presidential bid, stating that he would not invest his time and energy into such a serious goal unless he was highly confident in his chances.
Drawing from his background in analytical and structured work, he said he approaches politics with careful planning and conviction.
He even went further to suggest that he does not currently see a clear path for President Ruto to secure re-election in 2027.
The relationship between Matiang’i and Ruto has remained tense, with both leaders frequently criticizing each other in public, sometimes through sharp and personal remarks.
This ongoing rivalry continues to shape the political landscape as the country heads toward another competitive election cycle.
Despite his strong ties to Uhuru Kenyatta and his past role in the Jubilee administration, Matiang’i rejected claims that he is being fronted as a political project by the former president.
He insisted that his political journey and ambitions are independent, and that his decisions are driven by his own vision for the country rather than influence from past leadership.
As political alignments continue to shift, Matiang’i’s firm stance signals that any possibility of cooperation between him and President Ruto remains highly unlikely, at least for now.
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