NAIVASHA, Kenya – Jubilee Party leaders from Nakuru, Nyandarua, Embu, Nyeri and Murang’a have accused Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni and former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu of fuelling divisions within the party.
The leaders alleged that the two were being used by unnamed external forces to destabilise Jubilee as former President Uhuru Kenyatta prepares to relinquish the party leadership following a High Court ruling.
The accusations were made in Naivasha on Saturday as competing factions continued positioning themselves ahead of the leadership transition.
Leaders back Ole Kenta
Nakuru Jubilee chair Charles Mburu accused Kioni and Wambugu of attacking party organs and contributing to confusion over the party’s leadership.
Mburu said party members had agreed to continue supporting Moitalel Ole Kenta, despite a recent Political Parties Disputes Tribunal ruling that nullified his appointment as Secretary-General.
The tribunal found that Kenta did not meet Jubilee’s eligibility requirements when he was appointed and declared his nomination, appointment and recognition unlawful and void. It directed the party to undertake a fresh process if it wished to fill the position.
The case was filed by Wambugu, who challenged changes made to Jubilee’s leadership and their subsequent recognition by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
Wambugu backs Kioni
The latest criticism comes as the Jubilee succession battle becomes increasingly contested.
Kioni declared his interest in succeeding Uhuru as party leader after the High Court ruling, saying the position should be filled through the party’s constitution and democratic processes.
He said the final decision should be made by delegates at the National Delegates Convention (NDC) rather than through an informal appointment.
Wambugu has since publicly backed Kioni for the position while maintaining that Jubilee’s next leader must be chosen through the NDC.
He has also argued that the roles of party leader and presidential candidate should be distinguished, with the party leader expected to serve the interests of the wider party.
Leaders demand end to attacks on Uhuru
Nyandarua Jubilee chairman Sambigi Mukuria said the county leadership supported Ole Kenta and called for an end to attacks on Uhuru.
Mukuria also called on leaders allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to focus on challenges facing Kenyans rather than what he described as sustained attacks on the former president.
The leaders’ position comes as Jubilee prepares for a leadership transition following the High Court’s decision on the ability of retired presidents to continue holding formal positions in political parties.
Uhuru has indicated that he is prepared to hand over the Jubilee leadership in accordance with the court ruling and the party’s internal processes.
Ruto drawn into Jubilee dispute
Mburu also accused President William Ruto of repeatedly attacking Uhuru, alleging that the criticism was intended to divert attention from challenges facing his administration.
He cited issues including the Social Health Authority (SHA) and university funding.
Mburu further alleged that Ruto was concerned about Uhuru’s influence over political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Those claims were made by Mburu and were not independently established.
Call for fair party competition
Jubilee parliamentary aspirant for Naivasha Antony Rebo raised concerns about what he described as external influence in the party.
Rebo said financial resources should not be used to influence Jubilee’s internal politics and called for aspirants to have an equal opportunity to participate in party affairs.
He also backed the party’s stated democratic principles as Jubilee prepares for its leadership transition.
Women League backs Matiang’i
Elizabeth Mwihaki, chairperson of the Jubilee Women League in Nyandarua, expressed support for Uhuru amid the ongoing political exchanges.
Mwihaki also said the Women League would support former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in steering the party’s operations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Matiang’i has emerged as Jubilee’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, while Kioni’s bid to become party leader has opened a separate contest over control of the party’s leadership structures.
The competing positions have exposed fresh divisions within Jubilee as the party prepares for Uhuru’s exit from formal party leadership and the next phase of its political organisation.
