Renowned lawyer, Danstan Omari, has urged the former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), Fred Matiang’i, to shelve his presidential ambitions and instead back President William Ruto, as he seeks his second term in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking to journalists at a Kisii hotel, Omari said the former Interior CS, lacked the political backing of influential politicians and opposition figures, thereby, risking being isolated as political alliances take shape ahead of the elections.

“Neither the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua nor the fast-emerging Linda Mwananchi political movement led by Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna, has Matiang’i at the centre of their political calculations,” he noted.

The Lawyer claimed that Gachagua had not forgiven Matiang’i over the deployment of police officers to his residence, during his tenure in government.

He added that more leaders associated with the former CS would abandon his political camp and gravitate towards Ruto, citing Kisii Senator, Richard Onyonka’s latest political realignment as evidence of growing uncertainty within Matiang’i’s support network.

Onyonka, who had emerged as one of the most vocal supporters of Matiang’i, shifted to Linda Mwananchi faction, where he was appointed as the movement’s treasurer, thereby, placing him at the centre of Sifuna’s emerging political organisation.

Although the Kisii Senator has previously maintained that his participation in Linda Mwananchi does not necessarily amount to abandoning Matiang’i, Onyonka’s formal involvement in the new outfit has raised questions about cohesion in Matiang’i’s camp.

Omari said that the Gusii community’s interests, would be better served through participation in government, rather than remaining in opposition.

“We cannot run away from the fact that big tribes often have a sway in this country. As the Omogusii community, our interest is not to be in opposition, but to be in government,” he said.

The former CS has attracted considerable political attention, particularly in Kisii and Nyamira counties, where sections of the Abagusii community, have rallied behind his candidature, saying it as an opportunity to secure a stronger voice in national leadership.

His supporters have previously sought to build a movement around his experience in government, administrative record and perceived ability to manage public institutions.

By Mercy Osongo