Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s United Progressive Alliance Party has blamed President William Ruto for what they have termed land injustices at the coast.
In a statement on Friday, May 23, 2025, UPA National chairperson Nyambega Gisesa, who led a grassroots mobilisation drive in Tana River and Kwale counties, observed that Matiang’i would resolve the outstanding land disputes in the area once he ascended to the presidency.
“We are here to rally support for Matiang’i to become Kenya’s next president in 2027. We believe he is best positioned to confront the long-standing land injustices in the Coast region and resolve persistent county boundary disputes,” Gisesa said.
Restricted areas
He equally blamed the Kenya Kwanza administration for ignoring the concerns of Tana River residents, particularly following the designation of certain community lands as restricted areas.
Gisesa similarly blamed Ruto’s government for abandoning its pledge to address historical land grievances, particularly in the coast region.
The coast region tour, aimed at strengthening the party’s presence and promoting Matiang’i’s candidacy, was led by Gisesa and senior party officials, including Elijah Abere, Jeliah Nyakang’i, Kaluma Nzao, Werna Mawerna, and Chief Coordinator Geoffrey Kiraka.
The UPA Party is on a charm offensive to push the candidacy of Matiang’i across the country.
Matiang’i has been in similar meet-the-people engagements in Kisii, Nyamira, Narok, and Nyeri and is expected to continue to engage the people of Kenya directly and through his campaign organs.
Grassroots mobilisation
The UPA Party is expected to attend a series of events in Kilifi and Mombasa counties on Saturday, May 24, 2025, as the party intensifies its grassroots outreach.
During his meet-the-people tour of his home counties of Nyamira and Kisii, Matiang’i was treated to a warm reception, with the podium he spoke on being branded with UPA colours.
It, however, remains to be seen whether the former Interior CS will run for presidency using the party or choose the Jubilee Party, which has officially endorsed him as its presidential flag bearer.
In a previous interview in March, Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni revealed that Matiang’i had expressed an interest in running for the presidency and that it was incumbent upon the party structures to come up with him as the front runner for the party in the 2027 polls.
“Matiang’i just expressed a desire, and it is the work of the party to market its candidate across the country,” Kioni stated.
“As a party the size of Jubilee, it’s not in our best interest to operate without a presidential candidate. When there are individuals willing to offer leadership, they should be given a fair chance,” he added.
