Trouble brewing in Jubilee after leaders threaten to leave party

Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni speaks during a past presser. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] Jubilee-affiliated leaders are unhappy with the party leadership and are now planning a meeting tomorrow where they will announce the way forward. The leaders accused top party officials of failing to consult before making decisions on behalf of the party. On Saturday, former Gatundu North MP Wanjiku Kibe wrote to Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni and Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu, informing them she had quit the party. "I'm truly grateful and honoured to have been given an opportunity to serve under this political party and for the support accorded in my political party," said Ms Kibe. In a phone interview with The Standard, Kibe said her decision was informed by a number of things, including "the decision by relatives of a top party leader to support and finance her opponent". According to Kibe, despite her commitment to go against the tide to support Jubilee party and Azimio leader Raila Odinga in Mt Kenya region, some people opposed her reelection bid. "Even in the party, we looked like orphans with no direction from the party leader and I can confidently now say that we were rejected because of the party and the association with Azimio," said Kibe. "Some of us have been experiencing stress and depression after evaluating what went on during the election and hence need to go into self-introspection," she added. While Kibe made a bold move to quit, other leaders have hinted that they will follow suit. Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu said before the end of this month, they will be making a major decision after realising that their continued stay in Jubilee is no longer tenable. Wambugu, who has been chairing a caucus of former Jubilee leaders in Mt Kenya region, listed Eala nominations debacle, decision by Kioni to join Azimio leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi rallies despite the party taking position that they would not be participating, as major reasons for the discord. Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu. [Mose Sammy, Standard] "The Jubilee party position was that we would not participate in rallies or even in the protests that Raila has threatened to lead if his demands are not met by the government. We also don't understand how the party ended up fielding three Eala candidates as opposed to one," said Wambugu. The rallies, according to former Mathioya MP Peter Kimari ,will scare away entrepreneurs who may end up losing their businesses. And given that majority hail from Mt Kenya region, the issue may affect their political ambitions in future. "The leadership of the party is wanting. We understand that our party leader, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, is now committed to regional peacekeeping but other officials have failed to provide leadership," said Kimari. Former Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi disclosed that a host of former elected leaders will hold a meeting tomorrow to chart the way forward. The options on the table include rallying behind Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who is the senior most politician in Mt Kenya, or forming a new political party. Gachagua had promised to have Mt Kenya region united by December 31. "Elections are over and we now want to put aside our political differences for the sake of our region. By December 31, I will have brought all the leaders to our political wing," said Gachagua. To demonstrate his willingness to bring the mountain together, Gachagua rallied MPs allied to Kenya Kwanza to vote for former Kieni MP Kanini Kega to the East African Legislative Assembly. "I was surprised that even my colleagues from ODM could not support my bid for Eala, this taught us many lessons which will help us forge forward," said Kega. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [DPPS] When sought for comment, Kioni exonerated himself from blame, maintaining that the decisions the party had taken, needed no consultations. He insisted that the decision to hold rallies was made by Azimio . "I should not be blamed because I came in as the Secretary-General when most of the decisions had been made," said Kioni. While refuting claims that the party has not been consulting before making decisions, Kioni said issues at hand required consultations from the elected leaders and not members. "What I know is that there has been issue on the chairmanship of the assembly committees with Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper party wanting to elbow us out, and we have since raised that with the Azimio leader," said Kioni. Kioni observed that it was normal for leaders to make moves that they think will give them a new political lifeline but cautioned the leaders to be extremely calculative not to join formations with no substantial following. According to Kioni, Jubilee is the most promising party in Mt Kenya after convincing 1.3 million people to vote for Raila. Kega admitted there have been challenges in the party but maintained that relevant organs will be meeting for a 'house clean up'. Kega, who serves as the party's director of elections, said quitting the party wasn't the best way to solve the problem. "Its unfortunate that we are losing members but as a party we have an open door policy that allows people to move out and at the same time welcome others," he said. "We urge leaders not to make decisions based on anger. In a month's time we shall make a decision which will set things clear."

Trouble brewing in Jubilee after leaders threaten to leave party

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Trouble brewing in Jubilee after leaders threaten to leave party

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