Fred Matiang’i receives elders’ endorsement in Nyamira before leading an opposition rally in Kisii.
On February 23, 2026, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i was officially installed as the Omogusii community spokesperson by the Abagusii Council of Elders during a colorful ceremony held in Ekerenyo, Nyamira County. The event drew hundreds of residents, local leaders, professionals, youth representatives, and elders from across Kisii and Nyamira counties, marking a significant political and cultural moment for the Abagusii community.
The installation ceremony, steeped in traditional rites and symbolism, underscored the elders’ endorsement of Dr. Matiang’i as the community’s political and cultural voice at the national level. Elders who addressed the gathering described him as a disciplined, decisive, and development-oriented leader capable of articulating the interests of the Omogusii people in Kenya’s evolving political landscape. They urged the community to rally behind him and maintain unity as the country edges closer to the next phase of national politics.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Matiang’i thanked the elders for the honor and pledged to serve the community with humility, integrity, and courage. He said the role of spokesperson goes beyond politics and includes safeguarding the unity, economic progress, and social well-being of the Abagusii people. He emphasized the need for peaceful political engagement, issue-based campaigns, and greater inclusion of youth and women in leadership and decision-making spaces.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary noted that the Gusii region has long contributed significantly to Kenya’s education, business, agriculture, and public service sectors. However, he said more needs to be done to unlock economic opportunities for young people, improve infrastructure, and strengthen devolution to ensure resources reach the grassroots. He called on leaders to focus on practical solutions to unemployment, high cost of living, and access to quality healthcare and education.
The ceremony in Ekerenyo was not only a cultural endorsement but also widely viewed as a major political statement. Political analysts interpret the move as a consolidation of Dr. Matiang’i’s influence within the larger Kisii and Nyamira voting bloc, positioning him as a key figure in national opposition politics.
Later the same day, on February 23, 2026, Dr. Matiang’i proceeded to Kisii town where he held a major political rally at Kisii Stadium alongside leaders from the United Opposition. The stadium was packed with supporters waving party flags and chanting slogans, signaling growing momentum within opposition ranks.
Among the opposition leaders present were Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, and George Natembeya. among others. The leaders took turns addressing the crowd, criticizing the current administration over the high cost of living, taxation policies, and what they termed as shrinking democratic space. They called for national unity, economic reforms, and respect for constitutional freedoms.
Dr. Matiang’i used the Kisii Stadium rally to reaffirm his commitment to working with like-minded leaders to offer Kenyans what he described as credible, accountable, and people-centered leadership. He urged residents of the Gusii region to register as voters and actively participate in shaping the country’s political future. He also emphasized that unity within the opposition would be key in presenting a formidable alternative leadership ahead of the next general election.
The twin events of February 23 — the cultural installation in Ekerenyo and the political rally in Kisii — signaled a carefully choreographed day blending tradition and politics. The endorsement by the Abagusii Council of Elders provided Dr. Matiang’i with a strong cultural backing, while the rally demonstrated his alignment with the broader opposition movement seeking to reshape Kenya’s political direction.
As the dust settles from the high-energy gatherings, attention now turns to how this endorsement will influence regional and national politics in the coming months. For many in the Gusii region, the events of February 23, 2026, may mark the beginning of a new political chapter — one that places Fred Matiang’i at the center of both community leadership and national opposition politics.
