Jubilee Youth League Endorses Matiang’i For 2027 Presidency, Calls On Youth To Back Him

By Violet Kerubo

The Jubilee Youth League has endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election, urging young Kenyans to use their numbers to influence the country’s leadership.

Speaking at Jubilee Party headquarters on Wednesday, the youth leaders, led by Jubilee Youth League leader Angel Mbutia, said the party remained one of the political formations that listens to and respects the views of young people.

The leaders referred to Matiang’i as “Uncle Freddie”, saying he had demonstrated an understanding of the concerns facing the youth and was capable of providing the leadership they want.

Mbutia said young people have for years been told that they are the leaders of tomorrow, but argued that the time had come for them to take up leadership responsibilities now.

She urged the youth to actively participate in the 2027 elections and vote for leaders who, according to them, can address their economic and social challenges.

The youth leaders also announced plans to take their political mobilisation to university and college campuses as they seek to rally more young people behind their preferred candidate.

The Jubilee Youth League used International Youth Day to criticise the Kenya Kwanza administration, accusing President William Ruto of failing to deliver on several promises made to young people during the 2022 election campaign.

Mbutia claimed that youth unemployment remained a major concern despite promises of job creation, putting the unemployment rate among young people at about 17 per cent.

She also criticised the government over its digital agenda, recalling a campaign promise that every household would have access to the internet, which she said had not been fully realised.

The youth leaders further raised concerns over the education sector, affordable housing, healthcare and health insurance, as well as mental health challenges, particularly those they said had become more visible following recent youth-led protests.

On the political front, the Jubilee youth leaders accused the government of weakening the separation of powers and claimed that Parliament was not exercising sufficient independence in holding the Executive to account.

They also criticised what they described as growing tribalism in government appointments, warning that continued ethnic politics could expose the country to divisions similar to those witnessed during the 2007-2008 post-election crisis.

The leaders further questioned the government’s focus on Vision 2060, arguing that greater attention should be given to immediate challenges facing Kenyans and the 2027 elections.

They said young Kenyans were looking for tangible results rather than political promises, insisting that government performance should be judged by actions and not rhetoric.

The Jubilee Youth League said it would intensify its mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 General Election, with a particular focus on young voters in universities and other institutions of higher learning.

The leaders maintained that they would push for political change at the ballot and urged President Ruto to serve only one term, while backing Matiang’i as their preferred alternative for the presidency.