Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has reaffirmed that Jubilee remains part of the Azimio la Umoja coalition, dismissing claims that the party has shifted alliances.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM on Tuesday, Kioni emphasized that Jubilee is still legally bound to the Azimio coalition and will remain so until a new coalition agreement is signed.
“We in Jubilee signed that agreement, and we are in Azimio to date. We will remain in Azimio until we get into another coalition agreement when that time comes,” Kioni stated.
Jubilee to Take Leadership of the Opposition
With the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) signing a pact with the government and some Azimio-affiliated parties announcing their exit, Kioni declared that Jubilee will step in to take the leadership of the opposition.
Jeremiah Kioni
He insisted that the party would be backed by ordinary Kenyans who are eager for an opposition that will hold the government accountable.
“Kenyans are in the opposition, and the people who are being scrutinized more are those in the opposition because that is where hope lies,” he said.
Kioni’s remarks reflect the shifting dynamics within Azimio, especially after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s recent engagement with President William Ruto.
Criticism of the Ruto-Raila Agreement
Kioni also criticized the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between President Ruto and Raila Odinga, arguing that all parties in Azimio should have been involved.
He believes that Raila should have consulted all coalition partners before entering into the agreement, rather than only engaging ODM.
“I wish Raila had used the institutions that were already in place to bring everyone forward instead of taking only one party with him,” Kioni said.
He further expressed disappointment that President Ruto did not engage all parties in Azimio, which, he argues, would have been the right approach.
“That would have been very important because that has happened all along. How I wish Ruto had engaged all parties in the coalition,” he added.
Accusations Against Raila Odinga
On Saturday, Kioni accused Raila Odinga of abandoning his political allies without warning, despite their collective efforts to mobilize votes for him during the 2022 General Election.
He pointed out that Jubilee played a crucial role in Azimio’s presidential campaign, making Raila’s sudden shift all the more disappointing.
“We traversed the country campaigning and mobilizing votes for Raila. We were all over as Azimio looking for votes. Even if you have decided to leave, why not inform those who have been with you?” Kioni questioned.
These remarks suggest a deepening rift within Azimio, with some parties feeling betrayed by recent political maneuvers.
Future of the Opposition
With ODM now aligning with the government, the future of the opposition remains uncertain. However, Kioni insists that Jubilee is ready to fill the leadership vacuum and offer a strong voice against the government’s policies.
His stance reflects the ongoing realignments in Kenyan politics, where former allies are charting new political paths ahead of future elections.
The coming months will determine whether Jubilee can successfully lead the opposition, or if Azimio’s internal divisions will weaken its influence in Kenya’s political landscape.
