Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has dismissed claims that he is a political project of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, terming the allegations as misleading and unfounded.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, Matiang’i clarified that while he served under Kenyatta’s administration, his Cabinet appointment should not be misconstrued as evidence of political allegiance or dependency.
“What does that mean—to be someone’s project? It’s a historical fact that Uhuru Kenyatta appointed me to his Cabinet, and I served for 10 years. But he appointed about 30 people. Some are still in government today. Why not say I’m a World Bank project since I just came from there?” Matiang’i posed.
The former CS, who served in various high-profile dockets including Education and Interior, said he continues to speak with Kenyatta on national matters, but has not sought his endorsement for a 2027 presidential bid.
“I haven’t asked him whether I should run, but we discuss Kenyan affairs like I do with thousands of other Kenyans whenever I get the opportunity,” Matiang’i said.
No Political Party Commitment Yet
Matiang’i also weighed in on speculation regarding which party he is aligned with, saying multiple political outfits have approached him with offers of support, but he has not formally committed to any of them.
“I’ve heard some say UDA has claimed me. I’ve heard Jubilee has claimed me. Several other parties will also claim me. And frankly, I am flattered. I may be the only politician in recent times who has so many parties claiming him.”
Instead, he said his current engagements are focused on building a broad, inclusive coalition capable of uniting the country and addressing deep-rooted challenges.
“We are better off when we work together, coalesce our forces, and pull our visions together. Splitting into many camps doesn’t help. That’s why I’m having these conversations—to build a strong coalition for the good of Kenya.”
Driven by National Pain and Desire for Reform
Matiang’i said his potential run for the presidency is motivated by the level of frustration, anger, and despair he sees among ordinary Kenyans, citing recent anti-government protests as a symptom of a system in crisis.
“The level of pain and misery we are witnessing is shocking, considering the capacity and resources this country has. I know what our country is capable of. I keep reminding myself, we are better than this.”
Reflecting on his time in the Jubilee administration, Matiang’i said the government faced significant crises early on—including ICC cases, the Westgate terrorist attack, and the JKIA fire—yet the public morale and national cohesion remained far stronger than today.
“We came to government in 2013 with four big challenges: the ICC, the Westgate attack, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport fire, and the Garissa attacks. Despite those, the public never felt the pain and hopelessness that we’re seeing now.”
Why He Wants to Run
Matiang’i argued that his experience in government, particularly during challenging moments, equips him to steer the country through its current crisis.
“If you are a patriot and love your country, the first call you must answer is: What can I do for my country? I feel compelled to make my contribution from the office of the president and help fix the challenges we are facing.”
While he stopped short of declaring his candidacy formally, his remarks mark the clearest indication yet that he intends to vie for the presidency in 2027.
Political analysts note that Matiang’i’s experience, coupled with his perceived technocratic efficiency, may make him a formidable candidate if he can build a strong national coalition.
Whether or not he ultimately runs, his latest statements signal a willingness to challenge the current leadership narrative and engage directly with Kenya’s growing political discontent.
