Political Risk Analyst Dismas Mokua has dismissed the possibility of former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i being a significant player in the 2027 presidential election.
According to Mokua, Matiang’i is a non-factor in both national and Kisii regional politics, despite speculation about his potential influence.
Speaking in an interview with TV47’s Fred Indimuli on January 28, Mokua compared Matiang’i’s perceived political strength to the ‘Martha Karua factor’ in the 2022 elections.
He noted that before the 2022 general election, many believed Karua’s presence as Raila Odinga’s running mate would secure substantial votes from the Mt. Kenya region.
However, this prediction did not materialize, as Karua failed to deliver a significant vote swing. Mokua argued that a similar overestimation is being made regarding Matiang’i’s influence in Kisii politics.
“I see people referring to the ‘Matiang’i factor in Kisii politics.’ In 2022, we had the ‘Martha Karua factor.’ Many anticipated that she 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 stated.
Additionally, Mokua suggested that former Kisii Governor James Ongwae holds a more significant political presence in the region than Matiang’i.
This assertion downplays the narrative that Matiang’i could command the Gusii vote in a major way.
Despite some Kenyans viewing Matiang’i’s potential candidacy as a game-changer, Mokua insists that his political relevance remains minimal, making him an unlikely major contender in the 2027 presidential race.
By Kenyans