Speaking on Friday, August 21, 2026, while addressing mourners during the burial of the late Patrick Kiogora in Abogeta Village, South Imenti, Meru County, Matiang’i said his administration would introduce significant changes across the country.
Matiang’i said Kenyans would notice a major transformation within the first two years of his presidency, citing reforms in education and healthcare as some of his key priorities.
“Two years of my administration, you will be shocked; you won’t believe it’s the same country. Tutakua tumebadilisha education, you will have Linda Mama back and do away with this confusion you are seeing right now. You will also not hear the word goon if I am in charge. Politics is not, and should never be, a reason for us to kill one another. Uhuru Kenyatta handed over a peaceful country,” Matiang’i said.
Matiang’i promises education and healthcare reforms
The former Cabinet Secretary said his administration would overhaul the education sector and restore the Linda Mama free maternity programme, which he argued had provided an important healthcare service to Kenyan mothers.
Matiang’i also promised to address what he described as confusion within the current healthcare system, while pledging to eliminate political violence and the use of goons during political activities.
He said political disagreements should never result in Kenyans fighting or killing one another, recalling that former President Uhuru Kenyatta handed over a peaceful country.
Matiang’i was accompanied by PNU Party Leader Peter Munya, Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi and other local leaders during the burial.
His remarks come as political parties and presidential hopefuls intensify their mobilisation efforts across the country ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Matiang’i targets Kenya’s public debt
Matiang’i has also placed the economy and Kenya’s public debt at the centre of his presidential campaign.
During an interview with Kameme TV on August 10, 2026, he pledged to reduce Kenya’s public debt by 50 per cent if elected president.
He proposed renegotiating existing loans and commercially exploiting the country’s mineral resources as part of his strategy to reduce the debt burden.
Matiang’i identified mineral deposits in West Pokot, Kakamega, Narok, Kuria and the Murima Hills as areas that should undergo “ground-truthing” before being considered for listing on international exchanges.
He cited Namibia as an example of how mineral resources could be leveraged to support national economic development.
According to Matiang’i, reducing public debt would ease pressure on government borrowing, create more room for private-sector credit, lower the cost of living and support job creation.
His latest promises are likely to form part of his broader campaign message as he seeks to position himself as a presidential contender ahead of the 2027 elections.
