Former powerful Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i is a non-factor in 2027 Presidential Election, this is according to Political Risk Analyst Dismas Mokua.
While a section of Kenyans have termed Matiang’i’s possible entry into the 2027 presidential race as unconventional and a game-changer, Mokua refused to be swayed by the same wave.
Speaking in an interview with TV47’s Fred Indimuli on Tuesday, January 28 morning, Mokua said the so-called ‘Matiang’i factor in Kisii politics’ was a fallacy, equating it to the pre-2022 ‘Karua factor’ that ended in a whimper.
“I see people referring to ‘Matiang’i factor in Kisii politics’. In 2022, we had ‘Martha Karua factor’. Many anticipated that she [Karua] was going to literally shake the mountain and votes would pour into Raila Odinga’s basket, nothing of the sort happened! Now I see people thinking of a similar wave in Kisii, that’s far from the truth,” Mokua opined.
As a matter of fact, according to Mokua, former Kisii Governor James Ongwae is ‘bigger’ politically in the region than Matiang’i.
“In fact if there is anybody who needs to be watched in the political space in Kisii is James Ongwae. He won elections twice, very solid grassroot support,” he added.
Top politicians in Kisii region have constantly lamented that their community has been shortchanged in the Ruto-Raila broad-based government.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka in the recent past hinted at a mass walkout from ODM Party by Gusii leaders to form their own party, and fronting their own presidential candidate in 2027.
Just last week, Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni announced that the party would throw its weight behind a Matiang’i presidential candidature.
Suffering from Messiah Complex
Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and Ferdinand Waititu have all hinted at forming a super coalition that they say will unseat President Ruto in 2027.
However, Mokua accuses Kalonzo and company of suffering from Messiah Complex’.
“The Kalonzo, Gachagua, Eugene Wamalwa and Matiang’i coalition suffer from ‘Messiah Complex’ because they believe they understand Kenyans’ problems, and that they are the only ones who got the solutions.
“They don’t see that they are part of the problem. For example Gachagua has been camping in Mt Kenya and pointing out the ills of the government, but one would wonder, ‘when did he experience the Damascus moment? Is it before or after his impeachment? If he would still be in power, would he be making those kinds of pronouncements?’.”
Nonetheless, he argues that only Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka is a big shot in the coalition. “Apart from Kalonzo Musyoka, I don’t see any other person there with a killer instinct. Everyone says he’ll run for president, including Matiang’i. But when the rubber is meeting the road, do you think Kalonzo will reach a point and say, ‘I love these coalition members very much, I am now sacrificing my presidential ambition’ for another individual?”
Genesis of bad leadership
Mokua asserts that Kenya has been ending up with bad leaders in positions of power because of a typical Kenyan voter character.
“The average Kenyan voter is irrational, emotional and suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, because when politicians seek votes they don’t evaluate them critically and prioritise their interests. In mature democracies, voters vote with their selfish interests in mind.”
