Matiang’i Reveals What He Will Do If Not Selected To Fly The Opposition Flag Next Year

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said he is ready to back any candidate chosen to face President William Ruto, as long as the process that picks that person is fair. His remarks come as opposition leaders keep arguing over who should carry the flag in 2027.

Matiang’i took aim at the argument that anybody can replace Ruto. According to him, anyone who says so is suggesting that the real problem with the president is that others are not sitting in his seat. He made it clear that he does not accept that thinking, and that he believes Kenyans want more than a change of faces.

He then set out his condition. Matiang’i said he will support anyone picked through an inclusive, acceptable and respectful process. He did not name a particular person, which means the pledge is tied to how the candidate is chosen and not to who it is.

The former minister also voiced strong objection to the way some leaders are handling the talks. He said he has a serious problem with two or three people frogmarching everybody to a particular corner.

Although he did not mention names, the comment comes days after he accused Rigathi Gachagua of arrogance and pride, saying it could split the opposition. Gachagua has publicly backed Kalonzo Musyoka and Edwin Sifuna, while Matiang’i’s camp is aligned with the Jubilee Party.

His message appears aimed at pushing for a transparent mechanism that all sides can accept, instead of a candidate being announced by a small group. Opposition leaders have repeatedly said unity is their priority, yet disagreements over leadership and method keep surfacing.

Supporters of Matiang’i are likely to see the stance as principled, while critics may say it keeps his own options open as the race takes shape.

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