Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Jeremiah Kioni has warned against attempts to create a one-party political system, saying Kenyans must be allowed to choose their leaders from competing political formations.
Mr Kioni said political pluralism was a hard-won democratic right and cautioned that forcing voters into a single political party would undermine the freedom for which previous generations fought.
Speaking at a Jubilee Party aspirants’ meeting, Mr Kioni said the party would continue preparing candidates for the 2027 General Election while engaging in political arrangements with like-minded parties.
He said the party had previously made sacrifices in the interest of opposition unity, including withdrawing candidates from electoral contests in line with agreements reached within the opposition.
Mr Kioni, a former Jubilee secretary-general, said the party’s decision to withdraw its candidate from a previous by-election was based on the understanding that similar agreements would be honoured in other areas.
“We believed in the United Opposition. We expected what happened in one area to happen elsewhere,” he said.
He maintained that Jubilee would not be intimidated into abandoning its political ambitions, insisting that he remained active in politics and had no plans to retire.
“I have my own political career, which I am proud of, and I am not retiring,” Mr Kioni said.
The Jubilee official urged aspirants seeking elective positions to stop waiting for political parties or coalitions to hand them nominations and instead build their own support among voters.
He said successful candidates must demonstrate their ability to mobilise voters and establish strong grassroots networks before seeking elective office.
Mr Kioni also called for unity among Jubilee aspirants, saying political differences should not stand in the way of a coordinated campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
He urged candidates to work as a team and present a united front when engaging voters.
“The way to win is to work as a team. This is the time to put aside our differences, move together and go out to look for votes,” he said.
Mr Kioni said Jubilee had a record of experience in government that it would present to voters for scrutiny alongside the records of competing political parties.
He challenged Kenyans to compare the performance of different political formations and make their decision at the ballot.
The former Jubilee secretary-general also praised voters in Ol Kalou for what he described as a strong message to the government, saying the outcome of the recent political contest should be viewed as an expression of public dissatisfaction.
He said the government needed to listen to concerns raised by Kenyans over economic hardships, education and other pressing challenges.
According to Mr Kioni, the people of Ol Kalou had used their vote to send a warning to the government that they were unhappy with the direction of the country.
He urged political leaders in the Mt Kenya region to begin preparations for the 2027 elections early by identifying suitable candidates for various elective positions.
Mr Kioni said the region needed leaders who could effectively represent the interests of residents in Parliament, county assemblies and other levels of government.
He also criticised what he termed attempts to restrict political competition, arguing that a multiparty system was essential for democratic representation.
“Since Independence, Kenyans have never been confined to one political party. The struggle for multiparty democracy was about giving citizens the freedom to choose their leaders,” he said.
Mr Kioni warned that reducing political competition would amount to denying voters the opportunity to make genuine choices at the ballot.
He said the sacrifices made by previous generations to establish multiparty democracy should not be allowed to go to waste.
At the same forum, Jubilee aspirant for Juja Constituency Dr Joseph Gachui Kariuki called on the party’s candidates to unite as they prepare for the 2027 elections.
Dr Kariuki also criticised remarks attributed to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, saying senior government officials should be mindful of their language when addressing Kenyans.
He demanded an apology over what he described as offensive and demeaning remarks directed at the people of the Mt Kenya region.
The Juja aspirant said health was a critical issue that required responsible leadership and respectful public discourse.
He said Jubilee aspirants had gathered to discuss the party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 elections and strengthen its grassroots structures.
Dr Kariuki said the party was preparing candidates for positions ranging from Members of County Assembly and Members of Parliament to women representatives, senators and governors.
He said the aspirants would also support the party’s presidential candidate, former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, as Jubilee seeks to regain political influence in the next General Election.
“We have come together to discuss our political direction and how we will approach the 2027 elections. We must unite, address our challenges and take our message to the grassroots,” Dr Kariuki said.
The meeting comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 General Election, with leaders across the country working to build alliances, strengthen grassroots networks and position themselves for the emerging political contest.
Mr Kioni’s remarks underline Jubilee’s intention to retain its identity while remaining open to cooperation with other opposition parties, as political realignments gather pace ahead of the polls.
He said the final decision on Kenya’s political leadership would ultimately rest with the electorate.
“Let Kenyans have the opportunity to decide. Our responsibility as politicians is to give them choices,” Mr Kioni said.
