Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has formally announced he has joined the Jubilee Party.
Speaking on Sunday, October 5, in Mavoko, Machakos County, Matiang’i said he had accepted the request to join the former ruling party.
“I am openly saying I have joined the Jubilee Party. Just as we said during the NDC, now is the time to align ourselves with the Jubilee Party,” said Matiang’i.
The former Interior CS urged aspirants eyeing various seats in the 2027 general election under the Jubilee Party to start identifying with the party’s colours.
“These young people who are seeking votes for MCA and MP, the next time we come here, you should all wear Jubilee Party colours,” Matiang’i added.
Matiang’i’s announcement now puts to rest speculation over the political vehicle he will use for his 2027 presidential bid.
The former Interior CS was weighing options between running on a Jubilee Party ticket or the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) party.
On Friday, September 26, Matiang’i attended the Jubilee National Delegates Conference (NDC) at the Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi.
Despite not addressing the delegates, Matiang’i was spotted sitting next to retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, in an interview on Sunday, September 28, explained that the ex-minister did not address the conference as it was convened to specifically address issues within the party.
“This was an organ of the party we had called specifically to deal with the issues we had raised. It wasn’t a politicking platform.
“Matiang’i also attended the NDC as a member of the Jubilee Party, and he also knows when he wants to address. He wasn’t denied an opportunity, but ideally, the party leader wanted to give directions as we are preparing for 2027,” said Kioni.
On January 25, Kioni announced that the party had settled for Matiang’i as its candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 polls.
“Fred Matiang’i is the one they are saying is in Jubilee. He worked with the party for 10 years. So, we, as the Jubilee party, have our own candidate, Fred Matiang’i. He will face off with other candidates to ensure President William Ruto goes home. You have to start registrations and send the message to the people, and we don’t want fights,” Kioni remarked.
