The Jubilee Party has endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as its presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election, positioning him as the face of the party’s renewed political comeback.
The decision was made on Thursday during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting attended by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other senior officials, marking one of the most crucial gatherings since the party’s last National Delegates Conference.
During the meeting, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni confirmed that the NEC had unanimously approved Matiang’i’s application to run for president under the party’s ticket. “We have received and formally accepted Dr. Fred Matiang’i’s application for his presidential bid, and the NEC has agreed that he carries our flag,” said Kioni.
He further announced that Matiang’i had been appointed the party’s Deputy Leader, a move designed to strengthen Jubilee’s leadership framework and coordination with other opposition forces. “We have appointed Dr. Fred Matiang’i as our Deputy Party Leader going forward,” Kioni added, noting that he would represent Jubilee “in the united opposition.”
According to Kioni, the NEC also used the session to deliberate on ways to revive Jubilee’s grassroots presence and strengthen internal organization. “We were able to deal with key issues of structure and strategy that we want to take as a party. We now move out to revamp our party, open branches, and reach out to our members and new members,” he said.
As part of the restructuring, the NEC filled a number of vacant leadership positions. Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama was named Whip of the National Assembly, while Senator James Lomenen will serve as Whip in the Senate.
The meeting also took time to express solidarity with the family of Mama Ida Odinga, wife of ODM leader Raila Odinga. “Jubilee Party extends our condolences to the family of Mama Ida Odinga. We stand with the family,” Kioni stated.
