Video of Silvanus Osoro Endorsing Fred Matiang'i Emerges after Fiery Post Mocking Ex-CS's 2027 Bid
- South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro faced backlash after a resurfaced video showed him passionately endorsing Fred Matiang’i for deputy president
- In the undated clip, Osoro was heard urging the Kisii community to unite behind Matiang’i, calling him “the rightful heir” to national leadership
- Osoro’s past praise contrasted sharply with his recent sarcasm, where he likened Matiang’i’s political comeback to a paper fire, brief, bright, and ultimately meaningless
- The viral video stirred fresh debate in Gusii politics, with many calling out Osoro for hypocrisy and questioning his loyalty to the region’s leadership hopes
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - A resurfaced video of South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro endorsing former Interior Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i for a top national leadership role has thrown the legislator into the spotlight.
Source: Facebook
It began when Matiang’i made a highly publicised return to active politics last week, receiving a hero’s welcome in Kisii.
Thousands of residents turned out in droves, forcing organisers to change the venue to the more expansive Gusii Stadium.
The massive show of support was seen by many as a sign of Matiang’i’s enduring influence in the region and a possible springboard for his 2027 presidential ambitions.
However, Osoro, a close ally of President William Ruto, took to social media to throw cold water on Matiang’i’s aspirations.
In a post laced with sarcasm, the MP compared the public excitement around Matiang’i to a paper fire, burning bright but short-lived.
He dismissed the former CS’s political comeback as fleeting and inconsequential.
Osoro claimed that Matiang’i's options were limited, cheekily listing three: declaring support for Ruto, disappearing again for six months, or re-emerging as a self-styled opposition principal with little real influence.
"Moto ya karatasi!!..Three possible moves; To soon declare support for WSR, to leave the country quietly for another 6 months or more, when back after 6months, be a 'principal' of some school,oops,sorry,of an opposition coalition. Bottomline; mtangoja atangaze forever,hawezi..Even investing in good sound,media team,ama hata ya image,ni ngumu!!! Naendelea kupata report ya ground," he wrote, drawing the ire of Kenyans online.
How did Osoro rate Matiang'i's leadership
In what many described as poetic justice, the video of Osoro's previous endorsement surfaced barely 24 hours after his controversial post.
In the undated clip believed to have been recorded during a heated campaign season, Osoro is seen urging the community to rally behind Matiang’i, whom he termed the rightful heir to national leadership.
He passionately argued that the Kisii community had for too long supported candidates from other regions without getting a significant seat at the national table.
Osoro declared that this time, the community must unite and demand the deputy president position, and that Fred Matiang’i was the ideal candidate for it.
"The Kisii community has long supported other people who have gone on to become presidents and top leaders. This time, we Kisii are speaking with one voice. For us to vote for someone as president, we want to be given, as the Kisii community, the position of deputy president of the Republic of Kenya. If we are not given the DP position, then anyone who comes here seeking votes must have already offered us the DP position; it’s a must!
And the person we have identified, the one we see as fit to be the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya, is Fred Matiang’i. He is the deputy president. He is the one who is fit, a son of this land. So we have officially begun asking for the DP position," Osoro said.
Did Matiang'i declare presidential ambitions
On Friday, May 2, the former Interior Cabinet secretary officially announced his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election during the rally at Gusii Stadium.
He told the crowd he would resign from his World Bank position within three weeks to focus on his campaign, emphasising his commitment to serve the country.
Matiang’i stated that Kenya needs honest and effective leadership and expressed confidence in addressing the nation's economic and governance challenges.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
