Jubilee Party leaders from various counties in Kenya have raised concerns over growing divisions within the party. They accuse Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni and former Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu of fuelling the wrangles. The leaders claim that the two are being used by external forces to create divisions within the party at a time when former President and current Party Leader Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to hand over the party leadership.
The concerns come after a court ruling declared that Uhuru Kenyatta was ineligible to run the operations of the party. This decision has intensified divisions over who should take charge. The party leaders claim that the court ruling has created a leadership crisis within the party. They also accuse President William Ruto of continued attacks on Uhuru, which they term a diversionary tactic from his regime's shortcomings.
Charles Mburu, the Jubilee Party Chair in Nakuru, accused Kioni and Wambugu of being behind continued attacks on the party's organs and the confusion that has resulted in a leadership crisis. Mburu said party members had unanimously agreed to support the current Secretary General, Koitalel Ole Kenta, despite the court ruling that declared he was not legally appointed as SG because he was not a Jubilee Party member at the time.
Mburu also accused President William Ruto of continued attacks on Uhuru, which he termed a diversionary tactic from his regime's shortcomings in various sectors. He said Ruto fears Uhuru's political endorsement ahead of the 2027 General Election, adding that the former President's decisions within the party would receive full support from party members.
Nyandarua Party Chairman Sambigi Mukuria said they fully support their Secretary General Ole Kenta and called for an end to what he described as sustained attacks on Party Leader Uhuru Kenyatta. Mukuria called for a stop order to restrain United Democratic Alliance (UDA)-allied leaders from attacking the former President.
Jubilee Party parliamentary aspirant for Naivasha, Antony Rebo, expressed concern over external influence on the party and continued attacks on Uhuru. Rebo welcomed the party's democratic principles, adding that financial muscle should not be used to influence party politics but should instead give aspirants an equal chance in party operations.
Elizabeth Mwihaki, the Nyandarua Chair of the Party's Women League, rallied support for Party Leader Uhuru following recent attacks on President Ruto over his influence on national politics. Mwihaki said the Party's Women League would fully support current Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang'i to steer the party's operations ahead of the general elections.
Key points
- Jubilee Party leaders accuse Kioni and Wambugu of fuelling divisions within the party.
- The court ruling that declared Uhuru Kenyatta ineligible to run the party operations has intensified divisions within the party.
- Party leaders accuse President William Ruto of continued attacks on Uhuru Kenyatta.
