“Opposition has no room for you!” Jhanda tells Matiang’i to join Ruto

Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda has urged former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i to abandon his presidential ambitions and join President William Ruto in what he described as the urgent task of rebuilding Kenya.

Jhanda claimed the opposition had already charted a different political course and was unlikely to accommodate Matiang’i in its plans ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at Hema Comprehensive School in Masaba South on Monday, the MP claimed the opposition was positioning Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as its preferred presidential candidate, leaving Matiang’i with limited political space within the emerging alliance.

“Dr Matiang’i, the united opposition is not interested in you. They are already positioning Kalonzo Musyoka. You should stop waiting for a political vehicle that may never come,” Jhanda said.

The MP urged Matiang’i, who has increasingly been associated with efforts to consolidate the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections, to instead work with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“Kenya needs all its leaders at this critical moment. Rather than spending your energy fighting President Ruto, come and help build the country,” Jhanda said.

Matiang’i has emerged as one of the closely watched figures in Kenya’s opposition politics as political parties and leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He formally declared his intention to seek the presidency in May 2025, launching a political campaign centred on unity, service and experience.

As Interior Cabinet Secretary under retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, Matiang’i became one of the most powerful and visible figures in government, serving in a ministry at the centre of national security and administration.

His experience in government has since become a central pillar of his presidential pitch.

Matiang’i has presented himself as a candidate capable of bringing together Kenyans across ethnic and political divides. His political engagements have increasingly focused on building a broad opposition coalition capable of mounting a serious challenge to President Ruto.

However, the race to become the opposition’s presidential flagbearer remains unsettled.

Jhanda on Monday dismissed Matiang’i’s presidential bid as unlikely to succeed, arguing that the former CS should reconsider his political strategy and work with the government.

He also challenged opposition leaders to put aside their differences and support government efforts aimed at transforming the country.

The MP portrayed the opposition as a coalition driven by competing presidential ambitions, warning that the emerging alliance could face difficulties as individual leaders position themselves for the top seat.

Jhanda maintained that President Ruto’s administration should be judged on its development agenda rather than political rhetoric, urging leaders to cooperate where national interests are at stake.

“Matiang’i has experience and influence. Kenya can benefit from that experience—but not if he spends all his time fighting the government,” Jhanda said.