Kioni: Fred Matiang’i will deal with Ruto one touch in 2027
By Nancy Marende, September 30, 2025Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has backed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as the ideal candidate to face President William Ruto in the 2027 general election.
Speaking at a local TV station on Monday, September 29, 2025, Kioni stated that Kenyans are yearning for a leader who is not a career politician but a manager who can unify the country and address its challenges decisively.
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He argued that Matiang’i fits the bill, citing his appeal across tribes, regions, and social classes.
“Kenyans should field a presidential candidate who will deal with President William Ruto one touch, and I believe that candidate is Fred Matiang’i. Not because he is in Jubilee, but because he seems to attract support from across all tribes, regions and cadres of society,” Kioni said.
The Jubilee SG noted that while Matiang’i is already a member of the party and attended its National Delegates Conference (NDC), his appeal goes beyond partisan lines.
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“He seems to fit the bill where Kenyans are saying they don’t want a politician, they want a manager. If that candidate comes from Jubilee, we will be happy to support him. At the point when the bell is rang, we will rally behind him all of us,” he added.
Kioni also emphasised the need for the opposition to unite behind a single presidential candidate, warning against the delays that undermined coalition-building in 2022.
“When they say that the opposition must produce one candidate, that is the ideal and we want that candidate to be identified by Kenyans. But in the event that it becomes unattainable, we will go it alone, not because we don’t want the support of others, but because if we continue waiting, remember what hurt us in 2022.” he said.
“We were not able to hammer out a coalition until April, when Kalonzo Musyoka signed the coalition agreement just seven months before voting. We will not allow that kind of push and pull this time round,” Kioni cautioned.