Aasai

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has returned to the Kenyan political scene with a powerful call to action, urging the country’s youth to register as voters and actively participate in the 2027 general elections. Speaking shortly after arriving at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday night, Matiang’i emphasized that real change will only be achieved if young people take their civic responsibility seriously by becoming voters and showing up on election day.

Addressing a crowd of enthusiastic youths who had gathered to welcome him from the United States, Matiang’i passionately challenged the younger generation, particularly Gen Z, to move beyond online activism and street protests, and instead embrace the ballot as the most effective tool of transformation. He stressed that good governance and responsible leadership cannot be realized without the people’s input at the voting booth.

“Let us organise ourselves, and please, Gen Z, we can protest and mobilize all we want, but if we are not registering and preparing to vote, then we have not succeeded,” Matiang’i said. “The real drive now is to ensure that we register in large numbers and equip ourselves to participate fully and meaningfully in the next electoral process.” Matiang’i pointed out that the political future of the country largely lies in the hands of the youth, who make up the majority of the population.

He noted that their numbers give them immense influence, but only if they translate their numbers into votes. According to him, the push for reform and accountability in government will only be meaningful if youth-led activism is followed by democratic participation. The former CS, who had been in the United States since May 18, officially resigned from his role at the World Bank, where he had served since September 2022. His return marks a renewed entry into Kenya’s political space, with strong speculation around his intent to vie for the presidency in the 2027 elections.

A senior source close to Matiang’i confirmed his exit from the World Bank and revealed that his comeback was part of a broader political strategy. “His work at the World Bank is done, and he has resigned. We expected him back anytime, and now that he’s here, it’s clear that he’s ready to re-engage with the public,” the source said. Matiang’i also used his homecoming speech to advocate for national unity and the need to bridge political divides.

 He reminded Kenyans that regardless of differing political affiliations, they remain one people with a shared destiny. “We are all one family in this country. However you think politically or whichever side you support, we must always remember that our country must come first. Let’s find ways to engage with each other respectfully and constructively,” he said. His return coincides with a period of political reawakening, particularly within the Jubilee Party, which is undergoing rebranding in preparation for the 2027 elections. Matiang’i is viewed as a key contender and a unifying figure, especially after a month-long political outreach before he left the country.

His alignment with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s opposition bloc has also added weight to his political ambitions. With his renewed message focusing on youth empowerment, democratic participation, and national unity, Matiang’i appears ready to mount a serious campaign for leadership, challenging both the status quo and his political rivals. His clarion call is now loud and clear: the youth must rise, register, and reclaim their future through the power of the vote.