Matiang’i takes 2027 campaign to Texas, courts Kenyan diaspora

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has taken his 2027 presidential ambitions to the international stage, kicking off a fresh round of diaspora engagements with a town hall meeting in Texas, USA.

In a spirited event held at DFW Celebrations in Irving over the weekend, Matiang’i was warmly received by Kenyans living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The meeting drew a diverse crowd, with many attendees eager to hear his vision for the country and the role he sees for the diaspora in shaping Kenya’s future.

Matiang’i, who has resigned from the World Bank for the 2027 presidential duel, used the forum to reaffirm his commitment to inclusive leadership and acknowledged the growing influence of Kenyans abroad in national affairs.

“We cannot build a future for Kenya without the diaspora,” he told the audience. “Your voice matters. Your presence counts.”

In a departure from standard stump speeches, Matiang’i opted for a more intimate tone, even delivering part of his remarks in his local dialect—a gesture that drew applause from the audience and underscored his connection to grassroots communities.

The Texas town hall was part of what insiders describe as a broader international outreach effort aimed at building support among Kenyans living overseas.

Posters promoting the event branded him as a “visionary leader” under hashtags like #MatiangiThe6th, #MrFixIt, and #KenyaDiaspora2027, signalling both his presidential intentions and a campaign narrative anchored in reform and global engagement.

The event’s theme, A New Kenya: Shaped by Voices at Home and Abroad, captured the essence of his message—one that seeks to blend domestic priorities with diaspora perspectives.

Matiang’i’s move to engage the diaspora comes as presidential hopefuls increasingly recognise the economic and political power of Kenyans abroad.

With the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) expected to expand voter registration in diaspora hubs such as the United States, the 2027 race is shaping up to be as global as it is local.

Matiang’i’s Texas appearance is seen as a calculated first step in a broader strategy to court international support—and potentially, campaign financing—from the diaspora.

His message to Kenyans abroad was clear:

The next Kenya will be built with you, not without you.”