Nairobi —
The Jubilee Party has formally endorsed Dr Fred Matiang’i, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary, as its presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election — a decisive move that signals the party’s effort to reclaim its footing in Kenya’s turbulent political landscape.
The announcement came on Wednesday after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting chaired virtually by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. The council also named Matiang’i as the party’s Deputy Leader, cementing his position as the new face of the once-dominant ruling party.
“We have received and formally accepted Dr Fred Matiang’i’s application for his presidential bid,” said Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni after the meeting. “The NEC has agreed that he carries our flag. He will serve as our Deputy Party Leader moving forward.”
The endorsement did not come as a surprise. For months, party insiders and political observers had speculated that the former President was quietly preparing Matiang’i for a presidential run. The ex-CS, known for his no-nonsense approach and reputation for administrative discipline, had increasingly appeared alongside Kenyatta at key party functions.
Matiang’i’s political journey marks a notable turn. Once a career technocrat and a trusted member of Kenyatta’s Cabinet, he now steps into partisan politics for the first time. According to party officials, he resigned from his post at the World Bank Latin America office earlier this year to focus on the campaign.
At the NEC meeting, the party also confirmed new appointments to strengthen its leadership. Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama was named the National Assembly Whip, while Senator James Lomenen will serve as Senate Whip. The council also discussed revitalising the party’s grassroots structures, including opening new branches and recruiting members nationwide.
Observers see Matiang’i’s elevation as part of a broader strategy to restore Jubilee’s influence, particularly among central and western Kenya voters disenchanted by recent political realignments. However, analysts warn that his lack of electoral experience could be both a challenge and an opportunity.
“Matiang’i carries the image of a disciplined public servant, but he’s yet to be tested in the rough terrain of Kenyan electoral politics,” said a political analyst based in Nairobi. “Whether he can translate his technocratic credibility into popular appeal remains to be seen.”
The endorsement underscores Kenyatta’s continued influence in shaping Jubilee’s direction — even as he maintains a low public profile since leaving office.
If successful, Matiang’i’s bid could mark one of the most dramatic political comebacks in recent Kenyan history, transforming a man once known for enforcing order into one seeking to lead the nation.
