Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has warned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against using ethnic voting blocs to negotiate political power, saying the approach could undermine efforts to unite the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Matiang’i said the presidency should not be determined by political arrangements that divide the country into regional and ethnic blocs, arguing that Kenya's leadership should be based on capacity, ideas and national support.
"That majoritarian arrogance and that particular pride is precisely what is going to split the opposition and make it very difficult for the opposition to come together," Matiang’i said during an interview with NTV.
He appeared to take issue with Gachagua's proposal for an opposition arrangement bringing together political formations from Mt Kenya, Western Kenya and Ukambani, arguing that such calculations risked excluding other communities.
"The leadership and the future of our country is not a matter to be decided on ethnic balkanisation. It ought to be decided on the basis of capacity, not community. It is a matter of content of character, not cultural connections," he said.
Matiang’i warned that political leaders should not assume that control of a few regional voting blocs was enough to determine who becomes President.
He called for an inclusive political arrangement that brings together all communities, saying the opposition should avoid repeating the divisions that have previously plunged the country into political violence.
"No Kenyan left behind. We must have everyone on board," he said.
The former Cabinet secretary also challenged opposition leaders to concentrate on presenting their policies and records to voters instead of engaging in public exchanges over who should lead the coalition.
"Let us go out, sell our policies, put out our track record, talk to the people of Kenya," he said.
Matiang’i said he would support any opposition politician selected to challenge President William Ruto, provided the process was consultative and acceptable to all participating parties.
"I will support anyone picked through an inclusive, acceptable, and respectful process," he said.
His remarks come amid disagreements within the opposition over the coalition's leadership, the distribution of political influence and the selection of a joint presidential candidate.
Gachagua has been pushing for an arrangement involving his Democracy for the Citizens Party, Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper Patriotic Front and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi movement.
He has defended the approach by arguing that opposition leaders must demonstrate their ability to mobilise voters before a presidential candidate is selected.
Gachagua has also cited his experience as President Ruto's running mate in 2022, insisting that electoral victory depends on the numbers each political formation can deliver.
However, Matiang’i has questioned the reliance on regional arithmetic, arguing that the opposition needs a national agenda rather than negotiations based on ethnic numbers.
The disagreement has also drawn in Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, who has accused Gachagua of attempting to dominate opposition politics.
Gachagua hit back on November 3, challenging Matiang’i and Muturi to demonstrate their ability to mobilise voters instead of criticising his political strategy.
"If you cannot defeat him in your polling station, how can you defeat him in the whole of Kenya?" Gachagua posed.
Beyond the coalition dispute, Matiang’i outlined his political agenda, pledging to scrap the Housing Levy if elected President and promising to prioritise reforms and the fight against corruption.
He also questioned an opposition strategy centred solely on removing Ruto, arguing that Kenyans needed to hear what would change under a different administration.
