Raila moves in to rescue Jubilee Party from being ‘swallowed’ by Kenya Kwanza
Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga has stepped up efforts to rescue Jubilee Party from imminent disintegration in the face of internal wrangles that have rocked the political outfit.
On Thursday, Mr Odinga, accompanied by Azimio’s top brass, including Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, addressed the media at the party’s new headquarters in Kileleshwa, Nairobi.
During the press briefing, Mr Odinga accused President William Ruto being behind the wrangles within the party, saying the head of state is out to stifle democracy by weakening the opposition.
“This administration is taking us back to the state of affair witnessed during Nyayo regime. We want to warn this government that we will not sit back and watch as another Moi regime returns by another name,” Mr Odinga said.
Also read: Martha Karua now questions MCK’s credibility over raid on Matiang’i’s home
His remarks come just a day after a faction with Jubilee Party, led by East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) MP Kanini Kega, visited the the former ruling party’s new offices.
The officials inspected the boardroom and other offices but could not access the secretary-general’s office, which was locked.
Police officers were deployed to the premises during the visit, which came barely a day after the Registrar of Political Parties, Ms Anne Nderitu, approved the ouster of Jeremiah Kioni, David Murathe and Kagwe Gichohi as secretary-general, vice chairman and national treasurer, respectively.
Supremacy battle within the party has seen the National Executive Committee suspending party’s Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni over gross misconduct.
Also read: Show me when Raila fought for me, Reuben Kigame fires back at Alai
Mr Kioni has since been replaced by Mr Kega. Party Vice chairman David Murathe and Treasurer Kagwe Gichohi have similarly been suspended.
In the wake of the new development, Mr Kega announced that the party will soon join the Kenya Kwanza government.
“We resolved to join President Ruto and Kenya Kwanza because we believed in his leadership,” Kega said.
Jubilee was the ruling party from 2017 until September 13, 2022. The party was founded on September 8, 2016, following the merger of 11 political parties. During the 2017 election, Jubilee Party secured a plurality of seats in Parliament and the party leader, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, was re-elected president.
In the run up to last year’s General Election, Jubilee joined forces with other parties to form Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition, under whose flag Mr Odinga contested the presidency.
Also read: Governor Sakaja – We’ll not tolerate theft of water, illegal connections