Former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i has defended his decision to seek campaign fundraising support linked to Japan, saying there was nothing unusual about exploring legal funding options as he prepares for a possible presidential bid. This has raised concerns about whether former President Uhuru Kenyatta is no longer funding his campaign, considering he is the immediate former Jubilee Party leader.
Speaking in an interview on November 1, Matiang’i responded to questions about a document suggesting efforts to secure support from the Kingdom of Japan for his presidential ambitions.
He said the matter had been misunderstood and insisted that seeking fundraising opportunities does not amount to receiving foreign funding.
Matiang’i Defends Foreign Explorations
Matiang’i maintained that politicians around the world engage advisers and networks to identify potential sources of campaign financing and that there was no law preventing discussions on how to raise funds for political activities.
“There’s no problem at all for me to seek campaign funds from Japan,” Matiang’i said when questioned over the matter.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary said no money had been received from any foreign government and argued that any funds raised for political purposes would still have to comply with Kenyan laws and financial regulations.
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He said allegations that he was seeking to rely on foreign interests to capture power were misleading.
According to Matiang’i, the discussions cited in the document were part of advisory work to assess possible fundraising avenues and understand legal requirements.
He said consultants involved in the process were examining different options available for campaign financing.
The remarks come amid growing scrutiny over campaign funding as politicians position themselves ahead of the next General Election.
Matiang’i said any suggestion that he would depend on outside interests to secure the country’s top seat was false.
“I will never become president with financial aid from any foreign entity,” Matiang’i said.
Matiang’i insisted that he remained committed to operating within the law and said any future campaign activities would comply with all applicable regulations governing political financing.
Matiang’i’s fundraising remarks come as he positions himself for the 2027 presidential election on a Jubilee Party ticket.
The party’s National Executive Council named him its presidential flagbearer on October 30, 2026.
He has also called for opposition unity, saying leaders should support a common candidate rather than pursue individual ambitions.
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However, he has maintained his criticism of Ruto’s administration, questioning government investment agreements, public accountability and its handling of national affairs.
He has ruled out joining Ruto’s government and is seeking to build support through Jubilee and a possible united opposition coalition.
What the Law Says About Foreign Campaign Financing
Kenya’s Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013, requires presidential candidates to account for the money they raise and spend during an election campaign.
Under Section 11, campaign funds may come from individuals, political parties, lawful sources and harambees. However, the law expressly excludes contributions directly from foreign governments.
Section 12(2) further limits contributions from a single source to 20 percent of the total contributions received by a candidate or political party, subject to statutory exceptions.
Section 16 requires candidates and political parties to disclose the amounts and sources of campaign contributions.
Contributions exceeding Ksh20,000 must be receipted, while funds raised through harambees must be properly recorded.
The disclosure information is confidential unless it becomes relevant to a complaint, investigation or court proceedings.
For the 2027 General Election, IEBC has set the presidential campaign expenditure ceiling at Ksh6,112,543,133.
Candidates must also appoint authorised persons to manage campaign funds, maintain financial records, and submit expenditure reports to the commission.
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