Matiang'i denies political meeting with Junet and Arati

Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang'i has dismissed claims that photographs showing him alongside Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and Kisii Governor Simba Arati depicted a planned political meeting.

The photographs, which have been widely circulated on social media, show the three politicians posing for a photograph inside what appears to be an airport lounge.

Another image captures them engaged in what appears to be a conversation.

The images quickly generated debate online, with some users questioning whether the meeting was purely coincidental or indicative of behind-the-scenes political engagements.

Responding to the speculation, Matiang'i said he had merely bumped into the two leaders after checking in at the Kenya Airways desk at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

According to him, the three leaders were travelling on separate assignments, with Arati and Junet heading to Kisumu while he proceeded to attend a church service in Kisumu County.

"It was a chance encounter as each of us proceeded to board our flight," Matiang'i said.

He dismissed reports circulating online suggesting the photographs were taken during a meeting held the previous night, insisting there was no planned engagement between them.

"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," he said.

The encounter attracted attention because the three leaders are associated with different political formations.

Junet and Arati, both members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), have in recent months embraced the broad-based political arrangement between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Matiang'i, on the other hand, has emerged as one of the prominent figures in the opposition and has consistently criticised the current administration.

The photographs prompted mixed reactions on social media.

Facebook user Lawi Okelo Evergreen wrote, "In politics there is no coincidence."

Nelson Denzel Kirui echoed similar sentiments, saying, "There is no bumping into in politics bro. Ilipangwa," suggesting he believed the meeting had been planned.

Aggrey Nagweya Ndeda also questioned the explanation that the leaders had simply crossed paths, commenting, "They bumped into each other... nothing is coincidental in Kenya."

Others, however, urged caution against reading too much into the photographs.

John Odhiambo noted that politicians from rival camps often maintain cordial personal relationships despite their public differences.

"Politicians are friends just like lawyers who refer to themselves as learned friends," he wrote.

Some users reacted with surprise rather than speculation.

"Am I dreaming??!" wrote Evans Ombui after seeing the photographs circulating online.

Another user, Sam Githua, questioned the authenticity of the images, asking, "Hii si AI?" reflecting how unusual the encounter appeared to some observers.

Others used the opportunity to express their political preferences ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Odhis Thiringinyi declared his support for Matiang'i, writing, "The next president Dr. Fred Matiangi."

Henry Onuko, meanwhile, summed up the mood among many online commentators with a brief observation: "Something is cooking."

Matiang'i said he later joined Siaya Governor James Orengo, People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua and congregants for a church service at Apondo SDA Church in Ahero.