Jubilee leaders from several counties in Kenya have accused deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni and former Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu of causing wrangles within the party. The leaders claim that Kioni and Wambugu are being used by external forces to destabilize the party. This comes amid a court ruling that declared former President Uhuru Kenyatta ineligible to run the party's operations, leading to a leadership crisis.
The accusation was made by leaders from Nakuru, Nyandarua, Embu, Nyeri, and Murang'a counties. Charles Mburu, Nakuru's party chair, alleged that Kioni and Wambugu are behind the continued attacks on the party's organs, causing confusion and a leadership crisis. Mburu also accused President William Ruto of attacking Uhuru Kenyatta as a diversionary tactic from his regime's incompetence in various sectors.
Mburu stated that Jubilee Party members have agreed to support the current Secretary General, Koitalel Ole Kenta, despite a court ruling that declared his appointment as SG was illegal since he was not a party member at the time. The party members also expressed support for a centralized power structure to engineer party operations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Nyandarua Party Chairman Sambigi Mukuria expressed full support for Ole Kenta as Secretary General and called for an end to sustained attacks on Party Leader Uhuru Kenyatta. Mukuria also urged a stop to attacks on Uhuru Kenyatta from United Democratic Alliance (UDA)-allied leaders, suggesting they focus on addressing Kenya's current challenges instead.
Jubilee Party parliamentary aspirant for Naivasha, Antony Rebo, expressed concerns over external influence on the party and attacks on Uhuru Kenyatta. Rebo welcomed the party's democratic principles, emphasizing that financial muscle should not influence party politics but rather give aspirants an equal chance in party operations.
Elizabeth Mwihaki, Nyandarua's chair of the party's Women League, rallied support for Uhuru Kenyatta following recent attacks on President Ruto over his influence on national politics. Mwihaki stated that the party's Women League would support the current Deputy Party Leader, Fred Matiang'i, to steer the party's operations ahead of the general elections.
The wrangles within the Jubilee Party come as the 2027 General Election approaches, with 323 days, 13 hours, and 35 minutes to go. The party's leadership crisis may impact its performance in the upcoming elections. Key players, including Uhuru Kenyatta, Jeremiah Kioni, and Ngunjiri Wambugu, are yet to comment on the allegations.
Key points
- Jubilee leaders accuse Kioni and Wambugu of causing party wrangles
- Party members express support for Secretary General Koitalel Ole Kenta
- Leadership crisis may impact party's performance in 2027 General Election
