Jubilee Party presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i has moved to dispel speculation surrounding his meeting with Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and Kisii Governor Simba Arati at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), saying the encounter was purely coincidental and not a political strategy meeting.
In a statement released on Saturday, July 3, Matiang’i said he unexpectedly met the two leaders after they had all checked in for their respective flights to Kisumu.
“This morning, after checking in at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, I bumped into Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, who had also checked in and were travelling to Kisumu,” he said.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary dismissed claims circulating online that the meeting had been arranged or that the leaders had held discussions the previous night.
“Contrary to false claims circulating online, this was neither a meeting held last night nor a planned engagement. It was simply a chance encounter between leaders at the airport,” Matiang’i stated.
He added that after landing in Kisumu, he travelled to Ahero, where he attended a church service alongside Siaya Governor James Orengo, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, and other worshippers.
The clarification comes after photographs showing Matiang’i, Junet and Arati together inside the JKIA check-in area went viral on social media, prompting speculation over possible political talks and realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Some social media users questioned whether the leaders were discussing future political alliances, while others alleged without presenting evidence that Junet and Arati were trying to persuade Matiang’i to work with the government following recent political developments in the Gusii region.
Matiang’i, however, insisted there was no political agenda behind the brief interaction, describing it as an ordinary encounter between leaders travelling through the airport.
The incident comes as political activity continues to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Matiang’i emerging as a key opposition figure following his endorsement by the Jubilee Party as its presidential flagbearer.
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