Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has accused Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua of trying to bully and dictate terms to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, September 29, 2025, Kioni claimed that Gachagua deliberately sidelined Matiang’i in key political meetings. He revealed that during such meetings, Matiang’i’s name would be placed in official records without associating him with any party, creating the impression that he had no political base.
“When Matiang’i was attending meetings with them, they would always write his name and put it out there like he didn’t have a party. And the biggest thing, which is not a secret, is that they told him, ‘Don’t join Jubilee,’” Kioni said.
Kioni further recalled a past instance where Gachagua allegedly told Matiang’i to “go to Kisii and come back with a village party” if he wanted to negotiate his role within DCP. According to Kioni, these remarks underscored the Deputy President’s attempts to undermine Matiang’i’s influence.
Matiang’i’s 2027 Presidential Bid
The accusations come just weeks after Matiang’i officially kicked off his presidential campaign in the Mt. Kenya region. On August 17, 2025, while addressing grassroots leaders at Sportsman’s Arms in Laikipia, Matiang’i declared that he would not be swayed by money, intimidation, or political deals.
“I cannot be bought, bullied, or backed out of the 2027 presidential race. This is my personal decision to help fix the nation,” he told the crowd, vowing to end corruption and poor governance.
Matiang’i has urged the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region to rally behind his candidacy, promising to “rescue the country from the jaws of corruption and failed leadership.” His entry into the race has already sparked heated political exchanges, with rival leaders attempting to test his resilience and political networks.
