Embattled Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni revealed two issues raised by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo during his meeting with President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking during a media interview on Thursday, August 3, Kioni explained that Ruto and Raila engaged in a heated debate regarding the wrangles in Jubilee, each seeking claim to the party.
According to Kioni’s account, the former president, acting as the mediator, asked the two leaders how the dispute helped to lower the cost of living.
“In fact, when this issue (Jubilee) was raised in Mombasa during the talks, Raila posed the question to Ruto,” Kioni stated.
“Ruto stated that Jubilee is his party and (former President) Uhuru stole it from him. Even Obasanjo laughed and asked how that is helping Kenyans out of the situation they are in.”
The second issue pointed out by the former Nigerian head of state was the weakening of the opposition. Kioni mentioned that Obasanjo couldn’t comprehend the government’s approach of luring members from the Azimio faction, which, in turn, hindered the opposition from carrying out its oversight role effectively.
Regarding the exclusion of the Jubilee party from the dialogue team, Kioni responded by insisting that the party is satisfied with Azimio’s five members.
“On the committee, I don’t think this is going anywhere. Give it another two or three days. We are happy with the members, if we get an opportunity we will sit in it, if not then so be it,” he stated.
The former Ndaragwa MP opined that United Democratic Alliance (UDA) supporters from the Mt Kenya region had left the party because of the skyrocketing cost of basic commodities.
“When you talk to Kenyans out there, they will tell you they are fed up with UDA. Instead of thinking of how they can deliver on the promises they made, they think that by killing opposition, they have a chance of survival.”
He also responded to accusations from Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, who claimed that Jubilee and NARC-Kenya are not adding any value to Azimio.
“I don’t want to talk about Alai because I put Alai and (Deputy President Rigathi) Gachagua in the same basket. Gachagua said if you are not a shareholder, you will to wait until it’s your turn.”
“On the other hand, Alai said in the same breath, that in Mt Kenya during the mass protests, there was not enough disruptions so Jubilee does not deserve to be in the Committee. It’s the same mentality and as long as you have that mentality, you will go nowhere,” he added.
Dialogue Team
On Thursday, August 2, Kenya Kwanza unveiled its 5-member team for the bipartisan talks.
The team includes National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar and Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga.
On the other hand, the Azimio team comprises Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, Democratic Action Party leader Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyanzi.
The ten-member team is set to hold talks in a bid to iron out the issues between the opposition and the government.
