With the clock ticking towards Kenya’s 2027 general election, the country’s opposition is struggling with internal divisions that threaten to derail efforts to build a united front against President William Ruto.
At the center of the storm is Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, a seasoned politician who once helped former President Uhuru Kenyatta steady the party during its turbulent post-State House years. Today, however, Kioni is battling accusations that he is less of a unifier, and more of a political operative working on Uhuru’s behest.
The claims on Kioni’s loyalty are stemming from growing suspicion that Jubilee is quietly positioning former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i as its preferred presidential candidate within the opposition alliance. That suggestion has raised unease among leaders of partner parties within the United Opposition, some of whom now describe Kioni as a “mole”, whose loyalty is questionable.
Friction in Coalition Talks
Kioni was initially part of the high-level negotiations to form an opposition coalition, sitting alongside Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, NARC-Kenya’s Martha Karua, Democratic Party’s Justin Muturi, and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
But insiders say his presence quickly became divisive. Both Gachagua and Kalonzo reportedly accused him of pushing a one-sided agenda that tilted heavily toward Matiang’i. Not long after, Jubilee’s National Chairman Torome Saitoti quietly replaced Kioni as the party’s point man in coalition discussions.
The fallout became public last week when Kioni accused Gachagua of attempting to pressure Matiang’i to abandon Jubilee and back a “smaller Kisii-based party”. Gachagua’s allies hit back, painting Kioni as a political saboteur serving Jubilee’s narrow interests.
Jubilee’s Shadow of Uhuru
The deeper concern for many opposition leaders is not just Kioni’s combative style, but the enduring influence of Uhuru Kenyatta. Although the former president has largely withdrawn from the political spotlight since leaving office in October 2022, his grip on Jubilee is still largely felt in Kenya’s political space.
Kioni himself admits his loyalty to Uhuru, describing himself as “a servant of the former president.” He insists, however, that his goal is to strengthen opposition unity and build Jubilee into a strong negotiating partner.
“What we are doing is building Jubilee into a stable party that can sit at the table as an equal,” Kioni said in an interview. “Every party has the right to front its own candidate, but eventually we must agree on one joint candidate. That is how we build strength.”
Still, critics argue that Jubilee’s moves suggest something more calculated — an attempt by Uhuru tosecyure a seat at the high table of opposition politics and protect his legacy, even if it means unsettling the delicate coalition balance.
Growing Distrust
The n came to a head at Jubilee’s National Delegates Conference (NDC), which was held at Ngong Racecourse last Friday. While Matiang’i was present, other opposition heavyweights, including Gachagua and Karua, chose to attend a rival event just nearby. DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala openly warned supporters against the Jubilee gathering, accusing the party of trying to undermine Gachagua’s influence in Mt. Kenya.
A day later, Chairman Saitoti moved to downplay the drama, insisting Kioni’s attacks on Gachagua were personal and not the official position of Jubilee. “The party has formal organs for communicating decisions. Only what is endorsed by NEC or NDC becomes our official stand,” he clarified.
Even so, the cracks within the opposition are widening. Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, a close ally of Kalonzo, noted that Jubilee’s political position remains unclear. “Some of us see Kioni as simply Uhuru’s voice, trying to preserve his political legacy and secure influence in 2027,” Mbui said.
Analysts Warn of Weakening Unity
Some political analysts also argue that the escalating war of words between Uhuru’s allies and Gachagua’s camp risks weakening the broader opposition at a critical moment.
“Uhuru’s camp is rattled after realizing it has lost significant ground in the Mt. Kenya region. They are now like the proverbial drawning who’s clutching at a straw,” said Prof. Gitile Naituli of Multimedia University.
As 2027 draws closer, the opposition’s biggest challenge may not be President Ruto’s political machinery but its own inability to project unity. For now, Jubilee — and Kioni in particular — remain under the microscope, as rivals weigh whether the party is a genuine partner or simply a vehicle for the ambitions of Kenya’s former president.
