Jubilee Party presidential hopeful Dr Fred Matiang’i hosts his fellow United Opposition principals on a tour of the Gusii region, even as his campaigns in Mt Kenya cause tension.
Jubilee Deputy Secretary-General Mr Zack Kinuthia said that the principals will hold rallies in Kisii and Nyamira counties. The region has about 900,000 registered voters.
“We are set to camp in Nyamira on Monday (today) for a series of rallies and public engagements before heading to Kisii on February 24 and 25. These are not tribal events but efforts to rally all Kenyans behind Dr Matiang’i’s candidature,” the former Chief Administrative Secretary said.
Kisii Senator Mr Richard Onyonka and his Nyamira counterpart, Mr Okong’o Omogeni, said that the public engagements will cover Ekerenyo, Nyamira town, Marani, Nyanturago, Nyakoe, Suneka, Nyamarabe, Ogembo, Nyamache and Kenyenya.
PNU's Peter Munya (second left) with Jubilee's Fred Matiang'i (third left) on February 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Courtesy | Jubilee Party
Over the past months, Dr Matiang’i has concentrated much of his political activity in Mt Kenya region. He even signed a cooperation pact with the Party of National Unity (PNU), which is led by former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya.
As a result, this “homecoming tour” comes amid persistent criticism from Mt Kenya opposition leaders who accuse Dr Matiang’i of acting as if Mt Kenya is his political base.
Following former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s endorsement of Dr Matiang’i to run for the top seat, there are concerns that this could be a plan to undermine Mr Gachagua politically.
The speculation has prompted Dr Matiang’i to repeatedly emphasis that he is not seeking to usurp local leadership in Mt Kenya region.
On November 7, 2025, in Murang’a County, Mr Kenyatta endorsed Dr Matiang’i as the Jubilee Party’s preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.
“I have decided to have this function here in the backyard because this is my home… our home. I present Dr Matiang’i, not because of his tribe,” he said.
“Dr Matiang’i appears intent on using Mt Kenya as the launch pad for his presidential ambitions,” she said.
However, the former CS said that he was focused on national discourse and not tribal politics.
Jubilee presidential flag bearer Dr Fred Matiang'i and other local leaders at Magombo in Kitutu Masaba, Nyamira County on January 31, 2026.
Photo credit: Ruth Mbula | Nation Media Group
“We are one big family with several households. A time will come when we all converge to have a common action plan… so far we are only talking and bonding,” Dr Matiang’i said in Murang’a on February 1.
For his part, Mr Gachagua has said that it is critical for the United Opposition principals to build a strong home base.
“Mobilisation for bargaining edge must start with each principal’s base. Elaborate consultations in Mt Kenya led to the formation of DCP,” the former DP said.
“It is only through a strong home base that one can negotiate presidential ambitions effectively. Mt Kenya is a unique voting bloc with interests only understood by its sons and daughters,” he added.
DCP Council of Eminent Persons chairperson Mr Maina Kamanda has also been pushing Dr Matiang’i to consolidate support in his backyard.
“Dr Matiang’i should take Jubilee to Nyanza. In 2001, former Cabinet minister Simeon Nyachae took over Ford People Party from Kimani wa Nyoike and popularised it in his base,” he said.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i acknowledges greetings from members of the public in Borabu Constituency, Nyamira County on May 02, 2025.
Photo credit: Ruth Mbula | Nation Media Group
Political scientist Mr Festus Wangwe warned Dr Matiang’i against relying solely on Mr Kenyatta to “scale the Mountain”. He recalled that Mr Kenyatta was unable to secure support for former Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga in the region during the 2022 elections.
On the other hand, political commentator, Mr John Okumu, observed that Dr Matiang’i and Mr Kenyatta face a trust deficit in Mt Kenya as most leaders elected on the Jubilee ticket support President William Ruto’s reelection, while aspirants eyeing seats in 2027 are leaning towards DCP.
Another political analyst, Malila Munywoki, cautioned that Dr Matiang’i risks ridicule if he relies solely on national appeal, youth support, or a “no-nonsense” image without demonstrating deliverable votes in Mt Kenya and Nyanza regions.
Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Mr Wachira Kiago said that Mt Kenya favours Mr Kenyatta and Mr Gachagua speaking with one voice to strengthen the region's bargaining power.
