Matiang’i arrives in Kenya from US trip
Matiang’i was welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by a group of leaders.
Jubilee Party’s presidential hopeful for the 2027 elections, Fred Matiang’i, returned to Kenya on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after spending several weeks in the United States.
Matiang’i was welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by a group of leaders, marking his homecoming at a time when his potential candidacy has been a central focus in the ongoing political discourse ahead of the 2027 polls.
Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, who was among those present at the airport, declared, "It’s all systems go," as he welcomed the former Interior Cabinet Secretary back into the country.
In March 2025, Fred Matiang’i’s presidential bid faced a significant setback after ODM Party leader Raila Odinga cast doubt on his viability as a national candidate.
This occurred during a consultative forum held in Kisii, just before the formalization of a cooperation pact between ODM and President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance.
"There’s no such thing as a community fielding a presidential candidate. Anyone aspiring to lead must seek the presidency of the entire nation. You can't win the presidency solely on the Kisii vote, Luo vote, Luhya vote, or even the Mount Kenya vote," Odinga remarked on March 6, 2025.
Despite receiving backing from various quarters, including ODM Senator Richard Onyonka and the Jubilee Party, questions still linger over Fred Matiang’i’s next political move.
It remains unclear whether he will contest the presidency under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) banner or opt to forge a coalition with disillusioned leaders to establish a formidable opposition bloc.