Interior C Fred Matiangi is reportedly planning to contest for the Presidency in 2022 and could be Deputy President William Ruto’s nightmare in the contest.
Details of CS Matingi's plans ahead of 2022
Matiangi could be a compromise candidate for Uhuru and Raila
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i
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Although the CS is yet to make his ambitions public, his high-profile engagements and role in government is seen by some as a strategy to launch his political career and consolidate support, building on his track record.
Observers believe that Matiangi could be a compromise candidate for the handshake team and may secure the endorsement of both President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.
The CS enjoys close ties with both President Kenyatta and Raila and analysts believe he could be positioning himself for bigger things and could be President Kenyatta’s heir-apparent.
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File image of President Uhuru Kenyatta, DP William Ruto and CS Fred Matiangi
Pulse Live Kenya
Compromise candidate for Uhuru, Raila
The President recently rattled DP Ruto’s camp and threw the 2022 race wide open after declaring that his choice of a successor in 2022 will surprise many, sparking speculation that he may fail to endorse DP Ruto for the job.
According to Saturday Nation, the former Prime Minister has listed Dr. Matiang’i among the individuals he might support for the presidency in 2022 should he (Odinga) fail to run.
His elevation to the role of Super CS in charge of the monitoring and implementation of all national development projects effectively made him the third most powerful individual in the Jubilee administration after the President and his deputy.
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In recent days, the CS has intensified his tours across the country with reports indicating that he is consolidating the Kisii vote block before reaching out to other regions.
He has been in consultation with political and opinion leaders from the Kisii region and brushed off calls to go for the Kisii or Nyamira gubernatorial seat, a clear indication that his eyes could be fixed on greater things.
Matiang'i's take on 2022
The CS has also rolled out a series of activities across Kisii and Nyamira to counter DP Ruto’s charm offensive in the region.
DP Ruto flanked by leaders from Kisii during a past visit
Pulse Live Kenya
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His efforts have seen several MPs from the region publicly declare that they would support him for whichever seat he goes for in the 2022 race.
Among those believed to be in Matiang’i’s camp are influential veteran politicians including Senators Sam Ongeri (Kisii), Okong’o Mogeni (Nyamira), Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama, Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama and a host of MCAs from the region.
“We cannot continue supporting a leader from whom we have not seen any benefit. We supported President Kenyatta together with Ruto but the post of Cabinet Secretary we have was Uhuru’s reward to us. What did the DP give us in his share of Cabinet slots?” Arama posed at a recent rally in Tinderet.
The CS has however distanced himself from the political realignments that has sent tongues wagging months after he was elevated to the role of Super CS by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“I am a civil servant and it should be understood so. I don’t play politics because I have unfinished task of serving Kenyans as the President wants,” Matiang’i clarified to The Standard.
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