Nairobi, January 2, 2026 — Former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Dr. Fred Matiang’i has urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to prioritize a nationwide mass voter registration drive in 2026, emphasizing its critical role in shaping Kenya’s political future ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a New Year’s message addressed to Kenyans at home and in the diaspora, Matiang’i extended warm wishes for a prosperous 2026 while reflecting on the hardships of 2025.
He described the past year as one marked by soaring living costs, deteriorating healthcare services, rising insecurity, and widespread school dropouts due to delays in government funding for education programs.
“We navigated a difficult year, 2025, that was characterized by increased cost of living, declining quality of healthcare, high rates of insecurity, and unprecedented cases of school dropouts due to delayed government funding under free education programmes, among other challenges,” he stated.
Warning of further decline without decisive action, Matiang’i highlighted rampant corruption and inequitable resource distribution as key factors exacerbating poverty.
“Unless substantial efforts are made in 2026, our country will continue sliding into the abyss of poverty and dehumanising living conditions. Unprecedented corruption levels within government and unfair distribution of public resources continue to hurt our country in unimaginable ways.”
He called on citizens to demand accountability from the government, stating that endemic corruption and poor service delivery must no longer be tolerated.
Positioning the opposition as a vanguard for change, Matiang’i pledged relentless efforts to halt the nation’s economic and leadership challenges.
“As the United Opposition, we will persistently keep our feet on the pedal to stop the consistent slide of our country into economic and leadership turmoil,” he affirmed, promising nationwide outreach to deliver a message of hope amid widespread despair.
With the 2027 General Election in focus, Matiang’i urged eligible voters—particularly the youth to register in large numbers.
He stressed that robust voter turnout is essential to restoring effective governance and preventing the erosion of developmental gains achieved by previous administrations.
“We will only restore good leadership in our beloved country if we garner the requisite numbers at the polling booths in 2027,” he said, adding that Kenya cannot afford another term under the current Kenya Kwanza regime.
To support this, Matiang’i specifically called on the IEBC to launch an urgent, inclusive mass registration exercise, including the establishment of registration centers in universities and colleges to facilitate youth participation.
The statement comes as opposition figures intensify mobilization efforts, with 2026 viewed as a pivotal year for coalition-building and voter engagement ahead of the polls.
Once again wishing Kenyans a happy and prosperous 2026, Dr. Matiang’i signed off as Deputy Party Leader of the Jubilee Party.
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