Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo has declared that he does not depend on political endorsements to secure re-election in the 2027 General Elections.
Speaking at an event on Sunday, September 7, the lawmaker stressed that what matters at this time is commitment to a common course.
"We don’t require endorsements to secure re-election. What matters now is commitment; there’s no space for fence-sitters," he said.
Gisairo urged leaders and supporters to rally behind former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who is expected to be on the ballot for the presidency in 2027.
"If we are to support Dr. Fred Matiang’i in becoming the 6th President, the time to come on board is now. The rest will fall into place," he added.
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Notably, this comes about two weeks after Embakasi East MP Babu Owino declared that he does not need a party to run for political office, saying his personal brand is bigger than most parties in Kenya.
Speaking on Friday, August 29, Owino asserted that his popularity and political influence stand on their own.
"The name Babu Owino isn't it bigger than almost 100% of the political parties in this country? So, Babu Owino alone is a political party; Babu Owino can be elected without a party," he said.
Owino also defended his loyalty to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), insisting that he and other members who voice their views are not rebelling against the party.
"We are not rebelling in ODM, we are not rebels; we are working within the dictates and the principles of the party. And democracy dictates that the majority will have their way, while the minority will have their say.
"Within ODM, Raila Odinga himself said that you're allowed to speak, you're allowed to be democratically correct. Being democratically correct means that the majority let them have their way, and also the minority within ODM should have their say. And that is what we are trying to do," he added.
Meanwhile, in an interview on Tuesday, July 1, Matiang’i rubbished allegations of being retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s project.
The former CS questioned the meaning of being someone’s project and acknowledged serving in Uhuru’s government for 10 years across three significant portfolios.
However, Matiang'i noted that Uhuru appointed over 30 individuals to the Cabinet, some of whom are still serving in the current administration.
"There are things that people tell you that, when you sit back and analyze them, they won’t make sense even to a fool. What does that mean to be someone’s project? It is an indelible historical fact that Uhuru appointed me to his Cabinet, and I served in his Cabinet for 10 years in three significant portfolios.
"Cumulatively, for the 10 years Uhuru was President, he appointed close to 30 or so people to his Cabinet. Some of them are still serving in the Cabinet to this day. Others have risen to other responsibilities. Am I a project by deed of the fact that I served in Uhuru’s Cabinet? And if it is a question of service, why not ask me if I am a project of the World Bank because I have just come from the World Bank?" he said.
Further, Matiang’i said he had not asked Uhuru whether he should run for the presidency in the 2027 general election or not, noting that his discussions with the former head of state are largely on Kenyan affairs.
"I have not asked Uhuru whether I should run or not, but we discuss other Kenyan affairs every time we have an opportunity," he added.
