Matiang’i meets with David Murathe as Jubilee intensifies party consultations

Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang'i convened a gathering with the party's leadership, including Vice Chairman David Murathe. The statement released by the party on August 28, 2026, revealed that other officials, such as the director of elections, also participated in the meeting. Murathe, a former Gatanga Member of Parliament, had been relatively inactive in recent months, showcasing only minimal public appearances.

Consequently, Jeremiah Kioni, the Second Deputy Party Leader, has become the most visible party figure, touring the grassroots and media to promote and defend the Jubilee Party.

These consultations are taking place amidst intensified discussions within the United Opposition. In a recent retreat in Nairobi attended by Matiang'i, opposition leaders pledged to support a single candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. However, Jubilee has experienced several defections lately, with limited new members joining the party.

Most notably, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan left Jubilee to join the Rigathi Gachagua-led Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), taking 11 Jubilee constituency chairpersons with him. Jubilee Secretary-General Ole Kenta addressed the defections, stating that the party is not threatened by the departures. Kenta argued that the unpopular sitting MPs who left Jubilee would not be re-elected in the next general election, emphasizing the need for "fresh blood" to secure parliamentary seats on the Jubilee ticket.

Kenta also accused unnamed politicians within the United Opposition of meddling in other opposition parties' affairs by recruiting their members, urging these parties to focus on recruiting from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and other parties instead.