Asserting Political Independence

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has forcefully pushed back against claims that he is a political “project” of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, stating unequivocally that his recently declared 2027 presidential ambition is his own. Speaking during an interview on a local radio station on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Dr. Matiang’i defended his steadfast loyalty to the Jubilee Party, framing it as a mark of political consistency in an era defined by party-hopping. [2, 19] “I am not running for president because Uhuru told me to run. I took a personal decision to run,” he clarified, directly addressing the persistent narrative shadowing his political re-emergence. [2, 16]

Dr. Matiang’i, who served as one of the most powerful and visible ministers in the Kenyatta administration, argued that his association with the former president should not be misconstrued as puppetry. [1, 8] “Uhuru was a successful president, and everyone will want to be associated with him,” he stated, while criticising the perceived hypocrisy of political rivals who label him a project while simultaneously seeking the former head of state's endorsement. [2, 16] “People will say I’m Uhuru’s project, yet they themselves are looking for the same Uhuru to talk to,” he added. [16]

Jubilee as the Vehicle for 2027

The former CS’s comments come just weeks after he formally joined the Jubilee Party on Sunday, October 5, 2025, ending months of speculation about his political vehicle. [3, 21] Announcing his move in Mavoko, Machakos County, Dr. Matiang'i confirmed he had accepted an invitation from Mr. Kenyatta to join the party, which he attended the party's National Delegates Conference (NDC) in September 2025. [3, 21] He has since declared his intention to spearhead the rejuvenation of the former ruling party, with plans to open new branch offices and conduct grassroots elections. [3] The party, which Mr. Kenyatta regained full control of after a High Court ruling on Thursday, June 12, 2025, has already endorsed Dr. Matiang’i as its presidential flagbearer for the 2027 general election. [17, 18, 25]

This strategic alignment follows Dr. Matiang'i's official declaration of his presidential candidacy during a homecoming tour of the Gusii region on Friday, May 2, 2025. [5, 10, 12] After a period of professional engagements abroad following the end of his cabinet tenure, he returned to Kenya, stating he was responding to calls from citizens to offer leadership. [5, 12] His re-entry is widely interpreted as a significant development in the formation of a united opposition front aiming to challenge President William Ruto. [3, 5]

The Legacy of a ‘Super CS’

The “Uhuru project” tag stems from Dr. Matiang’i’s influential role in the previous government. Appointed to several key ministries including ICT, Education, and ultimately Interior, he earned a reputation as President Kenyatta’s no-nonsense “fix-it man”. [1, 6, 8] His power was consolidated on January 22, 2019, through an executive order that appointed him chairperson of the National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee, a role that effectively made him the supervisor of all government projects, reporting directly to the President. [1, 9, 13] This elevated status as a de facto ‘Super Minister’ made him a central figure in the implementation of the Jubilee administration's agenda, but also a lightning rod for political attacks.

In his recent public statements, Dr. Matiang’i has also taken aim at the current Kenya Kwanza administration, advising them to adopt a more responsive governance style. “My simple and free advice is that they can spend less money by listening to wananchi. Just show your work, and you will not need to justify your actions,” he remarked on October 29, 2025. [2] By defending his political record while simultaneously asserting his independence and critiquing his successors, Dr. Matiang'i is carefully crafting a campaign narrative that balances experience with a vision for a different future as the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape.