Former Nyeri Town MP Wambugu Ngunjiri has criticised Jubilee Party deputy leader Fred Matiang’i for invoking the name of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a recent forum convened by Jubilee Party members.
Speaking during a press briefing on March 28, 2026, Ngunjiri expressed disappointment with the party’s top leadership, accusing them of undermining Jubilee aspirants by praising political competitors in internal meetings.
“It was very embarrassing for me to mobilise members of the Jubilee Party aspirants in Nyeri without any support of the party, then the party leadership comes to talk about a competing candidate in our meeting,” Ngunjiri said.
The outspoken politician, known for his strong stance on party discipline, faulted Matiang’i and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni for what he termed as “misplaced admiration” of opposition leaders. He argued that it was inappropriate for party bosses to speak positively about rivals, especially in forums organised to strengthen Jubilee’s grassroots presence.
“It was a bad move for me to watch Matiang’i and Kioni come to talk about Gachagua in our Jubilee meeting that I have mobilised,” he added. “I have never heard our competitors talking about our candidate in their meetings, but our leaders, when we hold Jubilee meetings, feel like they have an obligation to talk about our competitors in our forums.”
Ngunjiri emphasised that politics is about competition and that party leaders should focus on promoting their own candidates rather than praising those from rival formations. He further noted that opposition leaders being lauded by Jubilee officials have never reciprocated by supporting Jubilee candidates.
The former MP also took issue with Matiang’i’s recent visit to Nyandarua, where he reportedly endorsed Senator John Methu, a Democratic Congress Party (DCP) member, in the presence of a Jubilee aspirant vying for the same seat. He cited a similar incident in Narok Town Ward, where Kioni allegedly backed DCP candidate Douglas Masikonde despite a Jubilee candidate being in the race.
The controversy follows Matiang’i’s remarks during an aspirants’ forum in Nyeri Town, where he praised Rigathi Gachagua, describing him as a friend and part of a “united opposition.” Kioni, who previously had a public feud with Gachagua, also appeared to soften his stance, expressing willingness to work together in the future.
