Matiang’i Uses Meru Rallies To Push Opposition Unity And Back Munya
Politics Updated: 06 June 2026 09:15 EAT
Jubilee Party flag bearer Dr Fred Matiang'i yesterday during a campaign rally in Laare, Meru County.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on Friday held a series of political rallies across Meru County where he intensified outreach efforts in the region while positioning himself within the emerging opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election. The meetings brought together local leaders, supporters and party officials as he framed the tour as part of a broader national engagement agenda.
“Basi niwaeleze hivi ndugu zangu sisi hatutembei hivi kwa sababu hatuna kazi ya kufanya. Tunatembea hivi kusalimiana na nyinyi kuwasikiliza na kukaa chini na nyinyi kupanga vile tunaweza kubadilisha nchi yetu. Hakuna vile nchi ambayo iko huru miaka 63 watu wetu wanaweza kuuawa vile watu wetu wanauawa hapa kwa sababu ya shida ya usalama.”
Speaking to residents, Matiang’i said the purpose of the rallies was to directly engage citizens and gather public views on governance and development. He argued that leaders should spend more time listening to wananchi and responding to everyday concerns instead of concentrating on political symbolism.
At the same time, security emerged as one of the strongest themes of his address. Matiang’i questioned national priorities and criticised what he described as efforts to channel resources into projects that do not address immediate public needs, saying government should place greater focus on protecting citizens.
“Na viongozi wetu badala ya kuzingatia hayo maneno wanataka kuchukua msitu wajenge starehe ya kujenga nyumba ya Rais ya kulala. Hayo makubaliano hayo nasema badala ya kutumia hiyo hela hivyo kwa ya jeshi hapa tuwaishe kwamba watu wetu wanapata salama kwa sababu jukumu la kwanza la kwanza mheshimiwa ni kukuhakikishia wewe mwenyewe.”
Matiang’i also used the rallies to highlight a growing working relationship between Jubilee and PNU, presenting the partnership as part of wider opposition coordination. He repeatedly referenced former President Uhuru Kenyatta and argued that lessons from previous administrations should inform future leadership.
“Ninawaomba tafadhali ndugu zangu tushikane pamoja. Sisi tumeungana chama chetu cha Jubilee na chama cha PNU. Mnajua kiongozi wa Jubilee ni nani? Rais mstaafu mheshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta. Uhuru alifanya kazi? Hakufanya kazi? Uhuru alichapa kazi? Hiyo ndio tunataka sasa kuendesha mbele tukishirikiana na ndugu yetu Munya.”
The former Cabinet Secretary expanded his message beyond the two parties and described a broader opposition cooperation framework. He mentioned leaders from several political formations and said their common objective was to create political change through coordinated action.
“Lakini pia niseme ukweli ndugu zangu sisi wote tuko katika upinzani tumeungana katika vyama hivyo na DAP-K ya mheshimiwa Gachagua, Wiper ya mheshimiwa Kalonzo Musyoka na DAP-K ya mheshimiwa Martha Karua na mheshimiwa Wamalwa na PNU. Tunashirikiana sisi wote na hata viongozi wale ambao wamejiunga katika Linda Mwananchi.”
Matiang’i publicly endorsed Peter Munya during the Meru engagements and asked supporters whether they would support Munya’s leadership. He said their political cooperation was built on previous experience working together in government.
“Sisi tunashirikiana na PNU na sisi niseme hapa ukweli sisi tunamuunga mkono Peter Munya. Nyinyi mnaunga Peter pia mkono? Wangapi wanaunga huyu mwanaume mkono? Mnakubaliana na sisi kwamba apewe nafasi aendeshe mambo? Kwa sababu Peter tulikuwa na yeye kwa serikali tukihudumu kwa serikali ya mheshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta.”
He further introduced leaders who had accompanied him to Meru and said the delegation reflected efforts to build wider political networks across regions. Among those he mentioned were Jubilee officials and aspiring leaders from different counties.
“Ndio sababu nimekuja hapa leo Meru kutembea na nimekuja na viongozi wa Jubilee wote. Niko hapa na Secretary General wetu wa Jubilee mheshimiwa Mwangi Lekenta kutoka Narok na pia viongozi wengine akiwemo Jo Kigara, Dkt Kilemi na wengine wengi ambao wanatafuta nafasi mbalimbali za uongozi.”
As he concluded the rallies, Matiang’i appealed for unity and asked supporters to send greetings to Uhuru Kenyatta while encouraging continued cooperation among opposition supporters as they prepare for future political contests.
“Basi nataka mnipe salamu ile nataka kupelekea mheshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta kutoka kwenu. Umfikishie salamu. Umwambie hawa watu vile nawaona bado wanampenda. Ninawashukuru kwa nafasi yenu wananchi tafadhali tukae pamoja tushirikiane tuhakikishe kwamba safari hii tumeleta mabadiliko ya muhimu katika Jamhuri yetu tukufu ya Kenya.”
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FELIX MAKONA
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