Youth reject Matiang'i as 2027 presidential candidate of choice

Mark Ouko, the coordinator of the National Students Council of Kenya, faced backlash after declaring that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is the youth's preferred contender for the 2027 presidential race.

During an appearance on Citizen TV’s JKLive, Ouko assessed Matiang’i’s political prospects, noting that the former CS may have faltered by retreating to his stronghold in an attempt to consolidate support.

According to Ouko, such a move failed to generate the same enthusiasm among the youth as Matiang’i’s potential candidacy did a year ago.

"One of the mistakes made by Matiang’i, who had previously been seen as a favorite among the youth, was pulling back to his base. The momentum around his 2027 bid, which initially emerged as a ripple effect of the Gen Z movement, has since waned," Ouko explained.

"One of the potential candidates supported by the youth in Matiang'i has made a critical mistake. The excitement surrounding Matiang'i’s potential candidacy for President in 2027 was largely fueled by the Gen Z movement," he remarked.

"He made the mistake of reverting to historical patterns, attempting to solidify his tribal base. I don't think the Gen Zs are as enthusiastic about Matiang'i's candidacy as they were a year ago."

However, his comments sparked a heated debate among the panellists, who disagreed and dismissed the idea of Matiang'i being the youth's preferred candidate.

"I'm at a loss as to where this is coming from. We've never supported Matiang'i, neither now nor a year ago," said Wanjira Wanjiru, a social justice activist.

"We don't believe change will come from those entrenched in politics. They’ve held positions that could have brought change, but here we are as a country."

Mohamed Abdullahi, a law student, shared similar views to Wanjira, criticizing Matiang'i for being a symbol of the Jubilee administration, which he argued was responsible for many of the country's problems.

"Matiang'i has never represented the interests of young people. I’m astonished. He’s known as the enforcer of the Jubilee regime, the very force that plunged the country into massive debt. Anyone who sees Matiang'i as a potential savior has lost my respect," Abdullahi remarked.

On May 2, 2025, Matiang'i began his first tour of his Gusii homeland, where he promised to rebuild public confidence in the government if he were to be elected president.

"My commitment is to overhaul and purify this country, restoring the people's trust in the government, so that when officials speak, the citizens can believe in their words again," he declared.