Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni launched a sharp attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks he made suggesting that the Mt Kenya region would eventually rally behind a single dominant political party.
Speaking on Thursday, January 8, during an interview on Spice FM, Kioni described Gachagua’s comments as both retrogressive and unconstitutional, warning that such rhetoric threatens Kenya’s hard-won multiparty democracy.
“I heard someone saying that in this region, we will only have one party. That is a very retrogressive statement,” Kioni said.
The Jubilee Party principal accused the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader of undermining constitutional principles by promoting political monopoly, insisting that Kenya’s democratic framework does not allow for the dominance of a single party in any region.
“It is not a statement you should make, even if you want to achieve it. It is against the Constitution. If he had said it when I was there, I could have contradicted him,” he added.
Kioni stressed that safeguarding pluralism remains essential to Kenya’s political stability, noting that such remarks could strain relations within the broader opposition and fuel unnecessary divisions among leaders who are expected to work together.
He warned that continued statements advocating for a one-party political direction could force him to reconsider his place within the opposition alliance, arguing that no individual should jeopardize democratic values or the political futures of others.
“We fought for this Constitution, and it is because of this pluralism that we can challenge each other. Because I am going to run in 2027, you are not going to sacrifice my political career on statements you continue saying,” Kioni said.
The Jubilee secretary-general made it clear that he would not hesitate to chart his own political path if such rhetoric persists, even if it means facing current allies at the ballot.
“I will leave you and follow my own path, and meet during the elections. But people might think I have a very big problem with these individuals, but I do not have, I just do not agree with some of their statements,” he stated.
Beyond his criticism of Gachagua, Kioni also weighed in on the growing internal tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), alleging that some party insiders were plotting to “auction” the party to external interests.
He likened ODM’s current challenges to the internal turmoil Jubilee faced two years ago, claiming similar attempts were once made to sell off Jubilee’s political influence.
“ODM is on sale, and they are currently trying to implicate former President Uhuru Kenyatta. But ODM members must fight for the soul of the party and fight for the spirit of Raila,” Kioni said.
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