By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, June 17, 2026 - Fresh divisions have erupted within the Jubilee Party after Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni launched a fierce defence of the outfit's endorsement of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i for the presidency, even as a legal challenge threatens to derail changes in the party's top leadership.
The escalating row has exposed deep cracks within the former ruling party, with senior officials, grassroots supporters and aspiring candidates increasingly at odds over the party's political direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kioni accused unnamed party officials of intimidating loyal members and targeting supporters associated with Matiang'i's presidential bid while turning a blind eye to leaders openly fraternising with rival political camps.
"Political parties are not built overnight. It has taken years of sweat, blood, commitment and hard work to build these structures," Kioni said.
"How is it that some National Executive Committee members can openly endorse other presidential candidates while others work hand in hand with our political competitors without consequence, yet those facing intimidation are junior staff, grassroots leaders and loyal party supporters?"
The Jubilee deputy leader questioned why he and his allies were being singled out for backing Matiang'i, insisting that defending the party's ideals should not attract punishment.
"What crime did I commit by fighting for the party, defending its ideals and openly endorsing Fred Matiang'i as our preferred presidential candidate?" he posed.
Speaking to Dawan Africa by phone, Kioni maintained that Jubilee remains a formidable political force and said ongoing internal debates were part of a broader effort to regenerate and strengthen the party.
"Jubilee is a power to reckon with in our region. What we are witnessing is part of the regeneration process," he said.
But Kioni's remarks have intensified an already simmering dispute involving former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who is seeking to recapture the constituency seat on a Jubilee ticket in 2027.
Wambugu has repeatedly accused sections of the party leadership of sending contradictory political signals by appearing alongside rival political figures during Jubilee functions.
"It is embarrassing. You mobilise Jubilee members, then leaders start talking about other candidates. Are we in a coalition that has not been announced?" he asked.
The former legislator argued that party officials should concentrate on promoting Jubilee's own candidates rather than elevating potential competitors.
"Politics is about competition. I have never heard our competitors talking about our party in their meetings," he said.
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Wambugu further alleged that some officials were exploiting their positions within the party to frustrate the ambitions of other members.
"The real offence is conflict of interest. Officials want to use party offices to manipulate and choke the ambitions of others," he claimed.
The public exchange comes as Jubilee battles a fresh leadership crisis following intervention by the Registrar of Political Parties.
In a letter dated April 28, 2026, Registrar of Political Parties John Lorionokou wrote to party leader and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, raising concerns over proposed changes to the party's top leadership that had been published in the Kenya Gazette.
The Registrar confirmed receiving a formal objection from Wambugu and directed Jubilee to resolve the dispute through its internal mechanisms before any changes could be registered.
"Kindly apprise this Office on the outcome of the resolution to enable conclusion of the process," the Registrar stated.
In his objection, Wambugu questioned the legality of the proposed leadership changes, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the party's National Executive Committee was properly constituted or that valid resolutions had been passed to authorise the changes.
"The central unresolved question remains: who is presently exercising decision-making authority in the name of the Jubilee Party and on what lawful constitutional basis?" Wambugu asked.
He warned that any attempt to proceed with the changes before resolving the dispute would be "premature, procedurally improper and legally unsustainable."
The standoff now threatens to deepen uncertainty within the former ruling party as rival factions jostle for influence ahead of the 2027 elections, with the battle over leadership, party loyalty and the endorsement of presidential candidates increasingly shaping Jubilee's future.