Jubilee Party presidential flagbearer and former Cabinet secretary for Education Dr Fred Matiang’i has called for fairness in the education sector, accusing officials of selling teacher appointment letters to the highest bidders.
Speaking during a campaign tour of the Kuria region in Migori County, Matiang’i said trained teachers, particularly those seeking employment in primary schools, should be given an equal opportunity to secure jobs.
He claimed that teacher appointment letters were being sold to the highest bidders, forcing some parents to sell land to secure employment opportunities for their children.
Matiang’i said that if elected president, his administration would ensure fairness and justice in job creation, not only in the education sector but across government agencies.
He said this would give hope to young Kenyans who have qualified and are ready to contribute to the country’s development.
Matiang’i also chaired a closed-door meeting with Jubilee Party aspirants at a hotel in Kehancha town, where he urged party supporters to become its ambassadors at the grassroots and rally support for his presidential bid.
“I want to call upon all the Kuria community to believe in the Jubilee Party and give me overwhelming support as I seek to unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 general election,” he said.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said giving appointment letters to a few individuals with connections and privileged family backgrounds would deny people from poor backgrounds an equal opportunity to access employment.
Onyonka also said corruption and human rights issues were among the reasons the opposition wanted to remove President William Ruto from power.
Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni said people from Central Kenya wanted Matiang’i to become president, but added that he needed support from other parts of the country.
“The Mountain wants Matiang’i to be the next President of the Republic of Kenya, but the people of the mountain cannot do it alone if the rest of the country and you, the Kuria people, cannot support him,” Kioni said.
Kioni said Kenyans wanted a leader they could trust to work for them.
He said the Jubilee Party would continue with grassroots campaigns to increase Matiang’i’s popularity as the United Opposition considers its preferred presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi cautioned Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua against name-calling, urging him instead to focus on building bridges with other United Opposition leaders.
Kibagendi accused Gachagua of referring to leaders from minority communities as individuals representing smaller voting blocs.
He said all communities, regardless of their numbers, should unite if the opposition is to unseat President Ruto and make him a one-term president.
“What Kenya wants as the next Commander-in-Chief is a person who has qualities and reputation to govern, not an individual who has a bigger voting bloc in his or her backyard,” Kibagendi said.
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