Sharp divisions have emerged within the united opposition after Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Jeremiah Kioni and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary General Hez Obaga publicly clashed over plans to field candidates in the upcoming Ol Kalou Constituency by-election.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Kioni affirmed that Jubilee Party would present its own candidate, urging coalition partners to rally behind the party’s choice.
Kioni revealed Jubilee’s intent to assert its influence in the Mount Kenya region, where the party has been seeking to rebuild its grassroots presence.
”I wish to assure our members and the people of Ol Kalou Constituency that the party will field a strong candidate for the upcoming Member of Parliament by-election.
We also expect our partners in the united opposition to rally behind this candidate. This contest will serve as a clear litmus test of our collective commitment to trust, cohesion, and the broader objective of presenting a united front,” Kioni wrote.
However, the statement drew a swift and firm response from DCP’s Hez Obaga, who dismissed any suggestion that his party would step aside for Jubilee.
Obaga further accused Jubilee of failing to honor previous political understandings, citing past contests in Isiolo and Narok where he claimed Jubilee undermined DCP’s efforts by refusing to withdraw from the race.
”We previously explored political brotherhood in Isiolo, but it did not deliver the expected results. In the same spirit, we believed that in building a united alternative government, you would support DCP in Narok,” Obaga wrote.
”Instead, you chose to field a candidate and even deployed your then Secretary General, Mr. Kioni, to campaign against us. The outcome of that decision is now in the public domain,” the DCP Secretary General clapped back.
The exchange shows a growing internal discontent within the united opposition, which has been struggling on how to put a united front against President William Ruto.
The Ol Kalou by-election could become a make or break for the united opposition which brings together Jubilee, DCP, Wiper, DP, PLP and DAP-K parties.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to announce the official by-election date in the coming weeks.
