Minnesota, USA – July 29, 2025: Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is scheduled to engage the Kenyan diaspora in Minnesota, USA, this weekend as part of his growing consultations over a potential 2027 presidential bid.
The high-profile visit is slated for Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, 2025, and will include meetings with local Kenyans alongside Kitutu Chache MP Anthony Kibagendi and officials from the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
A graphical poster shared by DCP TV confirmed the upcoming town hall discussions and community forums with Matiang’i.
Support Grows in Gusii Region
MP Anthony Kibagendi, a member of ODM, appears to have aligned himself with Matiang’i. Kibagendi, who previously served in the Office of the Deputy President before winning the Kitutu Chache seat in 2022, joins a growing number of Gusii region politicians backing the former cabinet secretary.
Among those believed to be supporting Matiang’i are Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Nyamira Senator Okong’o Mogeni. Notably, Kibagendi succeeded Onyonka in Kitutu Chache after the latter transitioned to the Senate.
This realignment is seen as a shift in the political center of gravity within the Gusii region.
For more on Kenya’s political shifts, see our Politics section on Sauce.co.ke.
Yet to Declare Political Party
Despite the momentum, Matiang’i has yet to declare a political party for his 2027 campaign. He has, however, acknowledged being courted by several parties, including Jubilee and UPA.
In an interview on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Matiang’i said he remains in consultation with multiple political stakeholders. Declaring his party choice prematurely, he explained, would “disadvantage” ongoing negotiations.
“I am now in consultation with a number of political parties and leaders across the board,” Matiang’i said.
“If I made a choice now and stuck to one political party, I would disadvantage the others with whom we are having a discussion.”
Coalition Politics Likely in 2027
Matiang’i also signaled that coalition politics will shape the 2027 elections. He expressed openness to running under a multi-party alliance, noting that no single party is likely to form government alone.
“Definitely, as we go forward, there is not going to be a single political party that will form the government,” he said. “I would rather have sufficient conversations with Kenyans across the board before I finally say this is the format with which I would like to present myself to the IEBC.”
He further revealed that seven to eight political parties have approached him with offers to be their presidential flagbearer—a gesture he described as “flattering.”
“It’s flattering that we have many political leaders sitting in their executive committees and saying maybe Fred Matiang’i should be our candidate—even before I ask them,” he said.
Outlook Ahead of 2027
As the 2027 elections approach, Matiang’i’s move to engage Kenyans abroad could help galvanize diaspora support, especially among voters with strong ties to reformist or technocratic leadership.
Political observers note that the Minnesota diaspora has historically played a key role in funding and influencing progressive candidates.
