For months, former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu appeared isolated as he raised uncomfortable questions about governance, transparency and constitutional compliance within Jubilee Party.
Critics dismissed him as disruptive or motivated by personal grievances against the party’s shifting alliances and leadership changes. Recent developments have dramatically vindicated his stance.
Today, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni a staunch defender of the party during its most turbulent post-2022 period publicly echoed the very concerns Wambugu has consistently articulated through formal letters, public statements, and a petition to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
In pointed Facebook posts, Kioni questioned why some NEC members can openly endorse rival presidential candidates or collaborate with competitors without facing any consequences, while loyal grassroots leaders, aspiring candidates, junior staff and steadfast supporters are subjected to intimidation and victimisation.
“What crime did I commit by fighting for the party and openly endorsing Fred Matiang’i?” he asked.
Wambugu’s core demand was never about personalities but process.Who truly makes major decisions? Were proper NEC meetings held? Were constitutional procedures followed? Were minutes and resolutions shared with members? His April 20 objection to the gazetted leadership changes forced the Registrar of Political Parties to pause implementation a clear validation of his push for accountability.
The emerging picture is troubling: selective application of discipline, opaque decision making, and suppression of internal dissent, particularly around alliance strategies and by elections such as Ol Kalou. When even a senior loyalist like Kioni raises these red flags, the issues can no longer be brushed aside as the complaints of a lone dissenter.
Political parties weaken when legitimate questions about fairness and consistency are treated as disloyalty. Jubilee’s leadership must now confront these governance failures head on if the party hopes to remain a credible force in 2027.
Ngunjiri Wambugu was not attacking Jubilee. He was demanding it uphold basic standards of internal democracy. Recent events prove his warnings were both timely and necessary. The conversation has shifted from Ngunjiri to the future of Jubilee itself.
