Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has sharply criticized opposition leader Raila Odinga for aligning with the current government terming the move as “betrayal.”
Kioni accused Odinga of prioritizing personal gain over Azimio unity, suggesting that he should have consulted with coalition members before making the decision to join President William Ruto’s administration.
“We believed that the Azimio coalition would last for five years to keep the government in check. However, Mr Odinga sneaked and left like a thief. He should have the courtesy to tell us what advised his decision. He has betrayed Kenyans and the Azimio coalition,” he said.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with Jubilee Party members in Tigania West, Meru County, Kioni expressed concern over the potential implications of this shift.
He stated that the implementation of the long-awaited National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which was expected to address key political and electoral reforms, is now effectively “a thing of the past.”
“Azimio and Kenya Kwanza had a pact on formation of the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). However, since Raila Odinga has joined government, what kind of commission do we expect from the two?” Mr Kioni posed.
He expressed a lack of confidence in the process, claiming that the political dynamics have irreparably shifted the trust that had been placed in the electoral commission.
The comments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing political tensions, as Kioni and Jubilee Party members voice their discontent with Odinga’s decision to engage with the government.
The move has stirred deep divisions within the opposition bloc, leaving many questioning the future of key reforms and political alliances in Kenya.
