Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang'i on Thursday began a four-day political tour of Meru County, thrusting himself into a region at the centre of an intensifying battle for political influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Mr Matiang'i arrived in Meru to a reception led by Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya, local leaders and supporters, marking the latest opposition push into the Mt Kenya region.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary's visit comes as opposition leaders ramp up mobilisation efforts in a region regarded as politically strategic due to its sizeable voting bloc and its association with key national figures.
Meru is home to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and forms part of the larger Mt Kenya region, which former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has repeatedly claimed remains under his political influence despite his fallout with President William Ruto.
Speaking shortly after his arrival, Mr Matiang'i said his visit was primarily aimed at listening to residents and understanding their concerns rather than delivering lengthy political speeches.
"I want to spend more time listening to people and hearing directly from them about the issues affecting their lives," he told journalists.
His itinerary includes public meetings, stakeholder forums and consultations with youth groups, traders, farmers and business leaders across several sub-counties.
According to organisers, discussions will focus on the rising cost of living, job creation, support for agriculture and the implementation of devolution. The forums are also expected to provide residents with an opportunity to engage leaders directly on issues affecting their communities.
The tour comes at a time when political activity in Meru is gathering momentum ahead of broader opposition mobilisation plans in the region.
Mr Munya has announced plans for opposition rallies in Meru and neighbouring Isiolo County, bringing together leaders including Mr Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, PLP leader Martha Karua, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and Mr Matiang'i.
The rallies, which had initially been postponed following anti-government protests over fuel prices, are intended to strengthen the opposition's presence in the region as preparations for the next election gather pace.
However, the plans have exposed growing divisions within opposition ranks in Meru.
Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, who serves as the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) organising secretary and is also eyeing the Meru governorship, has publicly distanced his party from the planned rallies.
In a statement posted on social media, Mr Linturi accused Mr Munya of using images of DCP leaders on promotional materials without consultation and insisted that his party was not involved in the events.
"As the DCP National Organising Secretary, I have been alerted about the poster circulating ostensibly to pull a crowd for a certain political group. We are not aware of the said rallies and our diary is fully booked for other matters," he said.
He urged supporters to ignore the invitations, adding that PNU was free to conduct its political activities without involving DCP.
Mr Munya dismissed the criticism, maintaining that opposition principals coordinate their activities through established structures.
The disagreement has added another layer to the growing rivalry between the two leaders, both of whom are positioning themselves for the Meru governor's seat in 2027. Their political differences have become increasingly visible in recent weeks, including public confrontations during events in the county and competition over local political alliances.
Observers say Mr Matiang'i's visit will be closely watched as a measure of his ability to gain traction in a region where multiple political forces — including those aligned to President Ruto, Deputy President Kindiki, Mr Gachagua and local leaders — are competing for influence.
With the race for Mt Kenya's support already taking shape, the former Interior CS's Meru tour signals that the battle for one of Kenya's most consequential voting blocs has begun in earnest.
