The Jubilee Party faction led by East African Legislative Assembly Member of Parliament (MP) Kanini Kega noted that it was ready to straighten the embattled Jubilee Party affairs after meeting Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday, May 27.
In a statement, Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu hinted at an upcoming referendum to determine which faction between that led by Kega which supports President William Ruto's regime, and another one led by Jeremiah Kioni will control the party.
Wambugu revealed that Jubilee Party has two factions within it: Jubilee Azimio which he argued was stuck in the past and Jubilee Kenya which supported Ruto's Presidency.
“There are two factions in the Jubilee Party. Jubilee Azimio is stuck in the past. It insists that we won the last elections and refuses to accept that elections are over and there is now another government legally in office. This faction wants our party to do everything possible to ensure this government fails, even if our nation suffers in the process.
“Jubilee Kenya is looking into the future. It accepts that we lost the elections and there is a new government legally in office. This second faction will do everything possible to ensure this nation prospers including working with the Kenya Kwanza Administration to move Kenya where necessary,” Wambugu noted.
This came after a meeting involving 11 former legislators from the twelfth Parliament from Mt Kenya region who met Gachagua at the official deputy president’s Karen residence.
"In (the) coming days we will do an internal referendum to determine which faction should lead the party," Wambugu stated emphatically.
Among those present at the meeting included former Kieni MP Kanini Kega, former Kiambu town MP Jude Njomo, and former Othaya MP James Gichuki.
On the other hand, DP Gachagua lauded them for supporting the Kenya Kwanza administration even after losing their Parliamentary seats.
“They have distanced themselves from Azimio la Umoja One demonstration and attempts to revive criminal gangs to cause violence and mayhem in the society.
“On my part, I have assured them of the President's commitment to unite the country and embrace all leaders, including those who did not support us,” stated Gachagua.
On May 23, Wambugu castigated former President Uhuru Kenyatta for misleading Jubilee diehards and failing to show leadership.
"Jubilee's so-called National Delegates Conference should not be referred to as NDC because it did not meet what it was intended for," Wambugu claimed in a video-recorded analysis.
Jubilee Wrangles
The Jubilee Party has experienced a push and pull pitting former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni and former Kieni MP Kanini Kega, both of who claim to be the party’s Secretary General (SG).
Furthermore, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is Jubilee’s chairperson, is fighting for his seat with nominated MP Sabina Chege claiming to be the chairperson.
On February 4, Kega and Jubilee Party chairman Nelson Dzuya suspended Kioni and David Murathe SG and vice chairman positions respectively after a Parliamentary Group meeting in Nakuru.
On May 22, Uhuru led a Jubilee Party National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Ngong’ Racecourse where he kicked out ten members from the party including his purported successor Sabina Chege and Kega.
"Those who got the few positions Jubilee had to share are now telling us they will give the party direction. No, their job is to stand firm and defend Jubilee's manifesto or step aside and give us a chance to select replacements," Uhuru stated.
