Through media appearances and direct engagement with grassroots communities, Kioni has been on a mission to rally support for Matiang’i’s candidacy, starting two years ahead of the elections.
In a recent statement on Monday, February 24, 2025, Kioni, who previously served as the Member of Parliament for Ndaragua, explained that the party had endorsed Matiang’i due to his proven track record and his capacity to drive significant reforms in the country.
Kioni highlighted that Matiang’i, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary, is well-equipped to address the challenges facing Kenya’s education sector, particularly the issues related to university funding. He pointed to Matiang’i’s previous accomplishments as Education Cabinet Secretary to support the endorsement.
In addition to his work in education, Kioni emphasized that Jubilee’s support for Matiang’i stems from the belief that he would successfully revive the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) with improvements, addressing gaps in the healthcare system.
Kioni also mentioned the revival of the controversial Huduma Namba program, which had been rejected during the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He assured that under Matiang’i, this initiative would be reinstated, along with efforts to fund universities more effectively.
“Fred Matiang’i is our presidential candidate, and he is the only candidate who can issue directives to bring back Huduma Namba, restore NHIF, and secure funding for universities,” Kioni stated during an interview with a local TV station.
A Democratic Choice
While advocating for Matiang’i, Kioni emphasized that the party had not imposed him as the candidate on the Kenyan people. He explained that the decision was made following broad consultations with voters and key stakeholders.
Kioni clarified that while Jubilee had endorsed Matiang’i, the party remains open to other candidates seeking the presidency. He stressed that the endorsement was an internal decision within Jubilee, pending further negotiations with other political parties.
“These members here, along with other leaders across the country and those from other parties, are expressing their desire for their own presidential candidate,” Kioni said.
“This does not necessarily mean Matiang’i will be the final candidate, but rather, he will be one of the contenders within the party, contributing to the broader process of selecting a unifying candidate. We hope that as an opposition coalition, we will be able to support a single candidate,” he added.
Warning Against Opposition Disarray
Kioni also issued a caution regarding the ongoing challenges in the opposition, particularly the rift within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He warned that unless the opposition resolves its internal conflicts, President William Ruto could secure a second term by default.
“The disarray within the opposition, if not addressed, will likely result in Ruto winning a second term,” Kioni warned.
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