The Jubilee Party has officially endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i as its presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election. The announcement was made on Thursday, October 30, 2025, following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting chaired virtually by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. In addition to the presidential endorsement, Dr. Matiang'i was also appointed as the party's new Deputy Party Leader.

Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni confirmed that the NEC had unanimously accepted Dr. Matiang'i's formal application to be the party's flagbearer. "The NEC approved and resolved that he now carries the flag of Jubilee Party as our presidential candidate and is the face of the party," Kioni stated. This decision positions Dr. Matiang'i at the forefront of Jubilee's efforts to rebuild and reassert its political influence after suffering internal divisions and significant setbacks in the 2022 elections.

The move is also a significant step in shaping the landscape of the opposition. Dr. Matiang'i will now represent Jubilee in the 'United Opposition Movement', a coalition of parties seeking to present a unified challenge to President William Ruto's administration. According to Jubilee Party vice chairperson David Murathe, the party remains firmly aligned with the opposition coalition. "We'll back the coalition's presidential flag bearer, even if it's not Matiang'i. But for now, we've given our party a candidate — and that candidate is Matiang'i," Murathe said.

A Strategic Return

Dr. Matiang'i, a former technocrat who held several high-profile cabinet positions under the Uhuru Kenyatta administration, including Education and Interior, has been gradually re-emerging in the political sphere. He had previously declared his presidential ambitions in May 2025, stating his readiness to lead the country. His supporters view him as a disciplined and competent leader capable of offering a stabilizing force in a polarized political environment. Political analyst Prof. Gitile Naituli noted that Dr. Matiang'i "represents a disciplined and competent brand of leadership that resonates with many Kenyans disillusioned by populism and empty promises."

His endorsement gives him official standing to negotiate within the broader opposition, which includes other key figures like Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. However, the path to becoming a consensus opposition candidate is expected to be challenging, with potential for clashing ambitions among the leaders. Peter Mbae, Organising Secretary of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), welcomed the nomination, stating, "He joins the other candidates who will come up with a formula to achieve a convincing win during Round One."

Jubilee's Revitalization Efforts

The endorsement of Dr. Matiang'i is a cornerstone of Jubilee's broader strategy to revitalize the party. The NEC meeting also resolved to launch a nationwide mass membership registration and mobilization campaign to strengthen its grassroots networks. The party has been working to overcome the internal wrangles that weakened it, a process bolstered by a High Court ruling that reinstated Uhuru Kenyatta's leadership team. At a special National Delegates Convention on September 26, 2025, former President Kenyatta affirmed the party's intention to field candidates for all elective positions in 2027.

While Mr. Kenyatta remains the party leader, senior officials have indicated that Dr. Matiang'i will be the de facto head on the ground, leading campaigns and representing the party in opposition activities. This strategic move allows Mr. Kenyatta to transition into a more advisory role while empowering a new face to lead the party's charge. The party has also made other key appointments, including naming Kagwe Gichohi as Executive Director and appointing new whips for the Senate and National Assembly to strengthen its institutional framework.

Dr. Matiang'i's political journey began in academia before he joined the public service, where he built a reputation as a firm and results-oriented administrator. His tenure was marked by significant reforms in the education sector, where he curbed national examination cheating, and in the security docket. As he steps formally into the political arena, he carries this track record, promising a leadership focused on efficiency and integrity. The coming months will test his ability to translate his administrative experience into political capital and navigate the complex dynamics of coalition-building in Kenya.