NAIROBI - The Jubilee Party has officially endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i as its presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election, a strategic move that significantly reshapes Kenya's political landscape. The decision, announced on Thursday, October 30, 2025, positions the former powerful minister as a key figure in the nascent United Opposition alliance seeking to challenge President William Ruto’s administration.

The endorsement came after a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting chaired virtually by the party's leader, former President Uhuru Kenyatta. In a press briefing at the party headquarters, Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni confirmed that the NEC had unanimously approved Dr. Matiang'i's 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.

In addition to the presidential nomination, Dr. Matiang’i was also appointed as the Deputy Party Leader, deputizing former President Kenyatta. This dual role solidifies his authority within the party's hierarchy and designates him as Jubilee's official representative in the United Opposition coalition, a group of parties working to field a single candidate in 2027.

Opposition Welcomes Matiang'i's Entry

The move was promptly welcomed by figures within the broader opposition framework. The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), a member of the United Opposition, signaled its approval of Matiang'i's candidacy. In a statement released on Thursday, DCP Organising Secretary Peter Mbae said the party welcomed the decision, noting that Dr. Matiang'i joins a pool of other principals with presidential ambitions. Mbae emphasized that the ultimate opposition flagbearer would be selected through a yet-to-be-determined formula, with all candidates vowing to support the chosen individual. "As DCP and United Opposition, we welcome the nomination of Dr Fred Matiang'i as a presidential candidate. He joins the other candidates who will come up with a formula to achieve a convincing win during Round One,” Mbae's statement read.

Jubilee's Revitalization Strategy

Dr. Matiang'i's elevation is a cornerstone of Jubilee's strategy to re-energize and rebuild after its influence waned following the 2022 elections. The party, which was the ruling party from 2013 to 2022, has been largely dormant but is now embarking on a nationwide mass membership registration drive to strengthen its grassroots networks and restore public confidence. Kioni described the initiative as a “comprehensive plan to revamp and re-energise the Jubilee Party.”

The NEC meeting also filled other key party positions, appointing Kagwe Gichohi as Executive Director and National Treasurer, Senator James Lomenen as Senate Whip, and Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama as the National Assembly Whip, signaling a comprehensive overhaul of its leadership structure.

Accepting the nomination via a post on the social media platform X, Dr. Matiang’i expressed his gratitude. “I am deeply honoured by the Jubilee Party National Executive Committee's unanimous acceptance of my formal application to be the Party's presidential nominee. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve as Deputy Party Leader, and I graciously accept the Party's nomination to serve as its representative within the United Opposition,” he wrote on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

A Technocrat's Political Ascent

Dr. Matiang'i, a former academic, built a reputation as a firm and efficient technocrat during his decade-long tenure in President Kenyatta's cabinet. He served in several high-profile ministries, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Education, and ultimately, the powerful Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government. His supporters view him as a results-driven leader capable of steering the opposition.

In recent months, Dr. Matiang'i has become more politically active, formally joining Jubilee in early October 2025 and dismissing claims that he is a 'project' of the former president. “There was no reason for me to abandon Jubilee, having worked under it for 10 years as a Cabinet Secretary,” he stated, emphasizing his political consistency in a landscape known for shifting allegiances. His entry into the presidential race sets the stage for a dynamic and potentially contentious political season as opposition figures navigate alliances and vie for the ultimate ticket to face President Ruto.