Jubilee Party Deputy Party leader Fred Matiang'i.
Jubilee's presidential aspirant Fred Matiang'i is revelling in the success of his three-day visit to Gusii, where he hosted the United Opposition leaders an event he used to stamp his authority as one the regions political supremo.
Dr Matiang'i was also appointed spokesman for the Gusii community by the Abagusii Council of Elders.
Political analysts say that this is a significant achievement for Dr Matiang'i because it aligns with Abagusii anthropological practices that value power and authority.
The highly charged rallies attracted huge crowds led by the two senators for Kisii and Nyamira, respectively Richard Onyonka and Okong'o Omogeni.
MPs Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Patrick Osero (Borabu), Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Innocent Obiri (Bobasi), Obadiah Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu) and Dr Charles Onchoke (Bonchari) accompanied the former Interior Cabinet Secretary what has seen a number of leaders elected on different political parties now identify with his camp.
Dozens of aspirants, most said to be strong rivals of the incumbent leaders, led by former Education CS and now Kisii County gubernatorial aspirant Mr Ezekiel Machogu, also joined the team.
A number of aspiring politicians are choosing to support Dr Matiang’i’s presidential bid in the hope of winning their local seats by riding on his coattails.
The rallies have rekindled memories of Simeon Nyachae, the late leader of the Ford People party and former Gusii political kingpin, who ran for president in 2002 and came third after Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta.
United Opposition leaders, from left: Fred Matiang'i of the Jubilee Party, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper Patriotic Front, Rigathi Gachagua of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), and Eugene Wamalwa of the Democratic Action Party–Kenya, during a church service at PCEA Utawala in Nairobi on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In his heyday, Nyachae galvanised the entire community behind his presidential bid. He secured the election of all 10 Members of Parliament on the party ticket. As well as having national ambitions, Dr Matiang’i is also keen to stage such a clean sweep at home in next year's polls.
According to observers, the rallies held in Nyamira and Kisii convey the political message that politicians who are not aligned with Dr Matiang’i may encounter political turbulence during the 2027 elections.
This position will be even more solid if he emerges as the united opposition presidential candidate.
"Foremost, Dr Matiang'i has automatically become the Gusii kingpin several years after Nyachae. Further, his visit has given Jubilee party a stronghold in the Gusii region. Anyone who intends to capture an elective seat in Gusii in 2027 must subscribe to Matiang’i and then Jubilee party," said Political Analyst Mr Omondi Okumu.
Another analyst, Dismas Mokua said that Dr Matiang'i is the "de jure Jubilee 2027 presidential candidate and he is breaking eggs to be the United opposition presidential candidate. The Kisii/Nyamira trip appears to be part of a global strategy to arrange his political ducks in Kisii before embarking on a national campaign."
Mr Mokua explained that the Kenyan political architecture is structured in a manner that one must secure unlimited support from their community before engaging in national permutations and combinations.
"President Ruto is facing turbulence in both Kisii and Nyamira, largely due to the inexperienced UDA politicians who are stepping on community toes. Dr Matiang’i may face challenges if Dr Ruto recalibrates his Kisii strategy. Impeached deputy president Mr Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, among others, are present, which buttresses Dr Matiang’i’s position."
Dr Matiang'i and his team toured the strongholds of politicians opposing him and have been very vocal in preaching President William Ruto's two-term agenda.
Jubilee presidential flag bearer Dr Fred Matiang'i and other local leaders at Magombo in Kitutu Masaba, Nyamira County on January 31, 2026.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati, also the ODM deputy party leader, National Assembly Majority Whip and South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro, United Democratic Alliance National Treasurer and Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Nyakundi, and Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda stand on the other side of divide.
They are some of the key pillars of the Broad-based government in the region and are expected to fend off the Matiang’i wave.
In the political tours, the Opposition team also reached out to Governor Arati who is largely tipped to pip Matiang’is as the key challenger in Gusii politics.
Mr Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa of DAP-K declared the opposition’s willingness to work with Governor Arati.
“we’re asking the governor to cross over and join this team,” Mr Wamalwa said.
Over the past few weeks, if not months, he has been involved in a battle for supremacy with people such as Governor Arati and he will be hoping that, after the three-day display of strength, the balance will tip in his favour.
Among the regions toured was Nyamache, the hometown of Governor Simba Arati, where he first launched his gubernatorial bid ahead of the 2022 General Election.
"Dr Matiang’i’s challenge now remains to create an agile national grassroots infrastructure to inspire confidence in his colleague principals that he has the capacity and competence to face President Ruto. The elephant in the room is whether opposition leaders will find merit in selecting the opposition presidential candidate via a scientific method anchored in public participation," said Mr Mokua.
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