Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has been formally installed as the spokesperson of the Abagusii community in a colorful, politically charged ceremony in Nyamira.
Thus, cementing his status as the region’s kingpin as he openly trains his sights on the 2027 presidential race.
The coronation was conducted by Gusii elders at Ekerenyo grounds and attended by top United Opposition leaders.
Also, Matiang’i effectively placed himself at the center of both regional identity and national succession politics.
A coronation rich in symbolism and politics
Thousands of residents from Kisii and Nyamira counties turned up at Ekerenyo Ward to witness the Gusii Council of Elders crown Matiang’i as the community’s official spokesperson.
Therefore, bestowing on him the symbolic title “Esimba ya Gusii” (the lion of Gusii).
Traditional rituals, including blessing prayers and the presentation of cultural regalia, marked the event.
Also, underscoring that this was not just a political rally but a cultural endorsement of his leadership.
The ceremony unfolded against the backdrop of a three‑day tour by the United Opposition, with leaders using the platform to project unity and signal that the Gusii region will not be peripheral in 2027.
Opposition heavyweights, including Deputy Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Eugene Wamalwa.
And other coalition principals, publicly pledged to rally behind Matiang’i as the legitimate voice of the Abagusii and a key player in their shared presidential project.
Elders’ blessing and 2027 ambitions
For Gusii elders, the installation is a culmination of a push that began as early as 2025, when they publicly endorsed Matiang’i to vie for the presidency in 2027.
Citing his strong record in the late Uhuru Kenyatta administration.
In their latest pronouncements, leaders such as former Kisii County Assembly Speaker David Kombo described him as a “proven servant of the Kenyan people” whose performance in the ICT and Interior ministries showed “unmatched dedication and competence.”
The coronation now links that earlier endorsement to a formal community structure: anyone seeking the political ear of the Gusii, they declared, should pass through Matiang’i.
The Jubilee Party has already indicated that it has settled on him as its presidential flagbearer for 2027.
Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni hailed his ability to “steer the country in the right direction” after having stabilized government operations during Uhuru Kenyatta’s fallout with William Ruto.
In his address at Ekerenyo, Matiang’i dropped any remaining ambiguity, declaring he is ready to carry the United Opposition’s presidential flag.
And “bring the presidency home” if entrusted with the ticket a statement that drew loud approval from the crowd.
United Opposition uses Gusii to project unity
The installation also doubled as a strategic stage for the United Opposition to showcase cohesion and sharpen its narrative against President William Ruto’s administration.
Rigathi Gachagua accused the government of neglecting Kisii and Nyamira, saying pledges made during official visits had not been honored.
In addition, he urged national leaders to respect the community by engaging through their newly installed spokesperson.
With gratitude and determination, I accept the responsibility of serving as spokesperson for the Gusii Community. This is more than a position—it is a call to leadership and a mandate to unite our people under a clear agenda of representation, empowerment, and transformative… pic.twitter.com/CXwnNVwg3X
— Dr. Fred Matiang’i (@RealMatiangi) February 23, 2026
Kalonzo Musyoka framed the event as part of a broader effort to consolidate opposition bases while preserving Raila Odinga’s legacy of reform and inclusivity.
Also, signalling that Matiang’i’s rise is being woven into a larger succession story rather than a purely regional campaign.
By rallying together in Gusii, opposition chiefs sought to send a message that their 2027 strategy will be anchored on regional kingpins with community blessings, rather than fragmented personal bids.
What Matiang’i’s rise means for 2027
Matiang’i’s installation as Gusii spokesperson significantly alters the political map ahead of the 2027 poll.
It formally elevates him from a powerful technocrat‑turned‑politician into a coronated community leader with both cultural legitimacy and an emerging national platform.
With elders, Jubilee, and the United Opposition all nudging him toward State House, his task now is to convert symbolic power into a credible national coalition that stretches beyond Gusii and the former Jubilee strongholds.
At the same time, his coronation risks sharpening competition with other opposition figures with presidential ambitions and could provoke countermoves from the ruling coalition seeking to claw back ground in Kisii and Nyamira.
For now, however, the message from Ekerenyo is clear: the Gusii community has chosen its political voice, and that voice is speaking in the language of a 2027 presidential bid.
ALSO READ: Fred Matiang’i: Kenya’s ‘Mr. Fix It’ – Legacy, Controversies, and the Road to 2027
