Jubilee party’s string of loses in mini polls raises eyebrows
Loses by the Jubilee in recent by-elections has raised eyebrows among party members.
Jubilee recorded its latest loss in Kiago ward in Meru to its rival, United Democratic Alliance of Deputy President William Ruto.
The ruling party also lost the Kiambaa mini poll, Bonchari, Juja, Londoni ward and Rurii ward by-elections in 2021 alone.
Jubilee, however, won the Hells Gate and Mahoo wards by-elections where JP’s Donald Fundi garnered 1,609 votes against UDA’s candidate Daniel Kimuyu with 1,358 votes.
In the Kiagu Ward by-election, UDA’s candidate Simon Ngaruni garnered 2,440 votes against Milton Mwenda of Chama Cha Kazi party who garnered 1,823 votes while Jubilee’s aspirant Samson Magambo got 1,609 votes.
Jubilee Coalition Parliamentary Group joint secretary and Eldas MP Adan Keynan argues that the performance of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party needs to be re-examined and where there are gaps, filled.
“I look at our performance in past by-elections as a source of critical lessons on what we need to do to revitalise our party, the loose joints to fix and reform areas in our readiness for the next election,” said Keynan.
He went on: “I fully understand the anxiety and even restlessness of our members who have been eagerly awaiting the National Delegates Convention.
We are a democratic outfit guided by our party constitution. The NDC will happen hopefully early next year so that we have ample time to rebrand and rejuvenate the party in readiness for the polls,”
Bright future
Keynan further argues that they are not worried about those that have announced departure.
“We are not worried about those who have announced that they want to leave Jubilee. If anything, it is only a confirmation that they were never really with our party leader.
I have said before that civility should not be mistaken for cowardice, and very soon, we will be formally kicking them out.
They are at liberty to advance the agendas and motives of their newfound masters. They should likewise let us rebrand and rejuvenate our party,” he said.
Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, an ardent ally of President Kenyatta, argued that contrary to their nemesis pronouncement that the Jubilee is dead, said the party has a very bright future and will shape the future politics of the country as a participant and not a spectator.
“Jubilee has been in partnership with Kenyans for nine years now. The people have greatly appreciated the works done by the Jubilee government and expressed interest in that tempo sustained in the next government.
That would only happen if Jubilee took over government— therefore, Jubilee is without a doubt a party of the present and the future,” said Wambugu.
The Nyeri Town lawmaker further charged that Jubilee is planning to re-establish itself, after suffering a string of damaging by-election losses, adding that some rebrand and pomp will not be enough.
He argued that the postponed NDC is because of the issues and a clear roadmap on how the party revamps and readies itself for the future will be some of the outputs.
“After the NDC, a comprehensive grassroots mobilisation campaign and aggressive membership recruitment drive will follow.
Jubilee party is strong, it is not winding up and that the JP government will deliver on all its promises to the people of Kenya,” he added.
Last week, while launching the Development Empowerment Party, Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi compared Jubilee to a big mansion house, which they built but were not able to enter.
“We were left to watch the house at a distance. We did not know it would come to that.
We had a big dream when we formed Jubilee but that dream did not happen,” he said.
