- Former president Uhuru Kenyatta warned Jubilee Party members against political intolerance and online insults against those they perceive as their opponents
- He noted that democracy demands respect for differing views and condemned attacks on former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua
- Uhuru tasked secretary general Jeremiah Kioni with monitoring party conduct, vowing to expel anyone who weaponises party loyalty to spread hate
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta has called the Jubilee Party to order, urging members to steer clear of political hostility.
Source: Twitter
Speaking in Thika on Friday, November 11, during an address to the party’s grassroots leaders from Murang’a county, Uhuru stated the importance of tolerance toward political opponents.
What Uhuru told errant Jubilee members
He noted that democracy grants everyone the right to hold their views, without resorting to extremism.
In his capacity as party leader, Uhuru warned that he would expel any so-called stalwart who uses party loyalty as a shield to hurl insults.
He specifically condemned attacks directed at former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
Uhuru tasked Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni with monitoring the party’s conduct.
“Mr. Secretary General, I must say, when I read online that someone claims to defend Jubilee while insulting Gachagua and others, I find it unacceptable. We are not a party that endorses insults. Every leader deserves respect; let them speak, and when your turn comes, speak too. The public will decide. I don’t want these petty fights, it’s nonsense. Leaders have the right to align with the party of their choice. In fact, I won’t hesitate to expel anyone who engages in such behaviour,” he said.
Uhuru’s sentiments were underscored by his deputy, Fred Matiang’i.
How Fred Matiang’i counselled Jubilee members
Matiang’i noted that Jubilee banks on its members to market it and mobilise more people to subscribe to it.
He said that no one would be attracted to the party if those in it exude bad manners.
Source: Twitter
Matiang’i called on the members to carry themselves with decorum as they interact with those they may differ with in opinion.
“My last request to you party members and officials, and it will be the most important message everywhere I go. We are the best ambassadors of this party. We are the best recruiters of this party as leaders. Through our language, how we speak to fellow Kenyans, how we treat members of parties with whom we sometimes argue. We are here to build our country. We want to build our party, build our country,” Matiang’i said.
“The more the merrier. Let us not spend time on unnecessary arguments with people and insulting each other. I can’t say it better than my party leader said it here a while ago. Let us think of uniting with each other so that our party grows. Where there is a dispute, Jubilee should be seen as a place of unity, a place of love, a place of accommodation, and a place of inclusion. Now this particularly goes to our young members and our women in our party, our people living with disabilities. This party is the party for all,” he added.
Are there cracks in the United Opposition?
Uhuru and Matiang’i’s riot act to the Jubilee members came in the wake of reports of there being disunity in the United Opposition.
Gachagua’s side was seen to clash with that of Matiang’i, with claims emerging that the former deputy president is opposed to the Jubilee Party.
He is said to be pushing for the dominance of DCP in Mt Kenya, and hence Jubilee’s place in the region’s politics is giving him sleepless nights.
Will Jubilee field presidential candidate in 2027?
In other news, Uhuru recently declared that the Jubilee Party is strategising for the next election and that it will have candidates in all the elective posts, including the presidency.
Uhuru signaled that Jubilee may consider forming alliances with other parties to boost its electoral prospects.
He affirmed the party’s commitment to actively prepare for the next general election and to present top-tier candidates for all positions, either independently or in collaboration with ideologically aligned groups.
The former president said that Jubilee’s goal is to produce transformative leaders with the right qualities to steer meaningful change.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
