Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has dismissed claims that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i is in secret negotiations with the Kenya Kwanza government.
Taking to his official X page, the senator labelled the reports as fake, misleading, and politically motivated.
''There is NO negotiation going on between Dr Fred Matiang'i and anyone in government. The person purporting to speak for Dr. Matiang'i is an impostor,'' the statement read in part.
The denial comes amid growing speculation that Matiang’i, a prominent figure in the previous administration, may be seeking a political realignment ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The senator emphasised that Matiangi's decision to back the opposition was intentional, cautioning leaders against misrepresenting their core agenda.
According to the senator, the rumours are part of an ill scheme to discredit Matiang’i and plant confusion among his supporters.
The senator took aim at Kisii Governor Simba Arati, accusing him of undermining opposition unity through reckless public attacks on key leaders.
“Simba Arati’s reckless attacks on the former DP and other opposition figures do not represent the will of the Abagusii. If we are serious about Matiang’i’s presidential prospects, we must protect his name from such careless political sabotage,” Onyonka said.
Onyonka responded to recent sentiments by Governor Arati, who had criticised opposition leaders, with whom Matiang'i has been closely working since he announced his interest in the presidency come 2027.
Matiang'i, who had kept a low profile since his tenure as Interior CS, recently confirmed in an interview with Citizen TV that he is consulting with several political parties.
However, he made no mention of any engagement with the Kenya Kwanza government, reinforcing Onyonka’s denial.
“I am in consultations with several political parties and several political leaders across the board. I honestly think that if I made a choice now and stuck to one political party, I would disadvantage the others with whom we are having a discussion,” Matiang'i said on Tuesday.
