Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang'i on Monday condemned the violence that marred a church event attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Kariobangi North, warning that such acts of intolerance threaten to destabilize the country ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The incident underscores the dangerously high political temperatures in Nairobi, nearly two years before Kenyans head to the polls. For the residents of Kariobangi, the Sunday morning chaos was a violent intrusion into their lives, disrupting businesses and forcing families, including Sunday school children, to flee from tear gas as rival factions clashed.

Eyewitnesses reported that running battles erupted just before noon outside the PCEA Kariobangi church when a group of youths confronted Gachagua's supporters. Police were forced to fire tear gas and shoot in the air to disperse the clashing groups, momentarily halting the church service. Gachagua later accused his political rivals of orchestrating the violence to intimidate his supporters.

A Nation on Edge

Matiang'i's intervention is significant, marking his re-emergence as a national voice calling for political maturity. "We cannot allow our country to slide back into the dark days of political violence. Politics is a contest of ideas, not a call to arms," Matiang'i noted in a statement. His comments come at a time when public anxiety is high, with a recent survey indicating that 62% of Kenyans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.

For ordinary Kenyans, such political skirmishes are more than just headlines; they are a direct threat to their livelihoods. Political instability has been identified as a top risk for businesses, leading to disruptions that keep food off the table and stall economic progress. In densely populated areas like Kariobangi, the fear of violence can shut down markets and paralyze daily life.

The 2027 Chessboard Takes Shape

The Kariobangi fracas is a symptom of the early and intense campaigning for the 2027 elections. The political landscape is already crowded with presidential hopefuls, including Matiang'i himself, who was recently endorsed as the Jubilee Party's flagbearer.

Recent political developments highlight a fluid and unpredictable environment:

• Matiang'i's Rise: After months of speculation, Fred Matiang'i officially joined Jubilee in October 2025 and was swiftly named Deputy Party Leader and presidential candidate, tasked with reviving the former ruling party.
• Gachagua's New Alliance: Since his ouster as Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua has been actively building his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), recently announcing an alliance with Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper Party to consolidate the Nairobi vote.
• Shifting Loyalties: The political scene is marked by shifting alliances, with President William Ruto reportedly courting former rivals to bolster his re-election bid.

Analysts warn that these early realignments, if managed through violence instead of dialogue, could poison the political environment for the next two years. Community leaders in Kariobangi have called for calm and urged authorities to hold the instigators of Sunday's violence accountable. As Saboti MP Caleb Amisi recently cautioned, leaders who focus on arguments instead of engaging voters risk being rejected in 2027.

As the nation inches closer to the next election, the call from figures like Matiang'i for a return to peaceful and issue-based politics will be a critical test of Kenya's democratic maturity.