The Jubilee Party suffered a major political setback on Thursday, February 5, after more than 700 grassroots leaders from Laikipia County defected to align themselves with the government.
The leaders, led by county chairperson Sarolyne Wanjiku Mwendia, accused the party’s national leadership of losing touch with the realities facing ordinary citizens.
Mwendia, a well-known political figure in Laikipia, made headlines in the 2022 General Election when she garnered over 12,000 votes in the Laikipia West parliamentary race on a Jubilee ticket — a remarkable performance given the dominance of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the region at the time.
Her defection comes in the wake of former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i’s entry into Jubilee’s top leadership, a move Mwendia described as a “departure from the concerns of the original foot soldiers who kept the party alive.”
“I have not walked away from the party; Jubilee abandoned the people. We remained to safeguard a house in the absence of its owners, but now, that very house no longer serves as a home for the hopes and dreams of Laikipia West residents,” Mwendia told reporters. “My 12,075 voters did not vote for a logo; they voted for a vision. Today, we move that vision to the center of power to ensure our county is represented where decisions are made.”
In her resignation letter dated March 5, 2026, and addressed to the party’s National Secretary General in Nairobi, Mwendia cited a shift in Jubilee’s national direction, saying it no longer reflects the aspirations and immediate needs of Laikipia residents.
“Having zealously supported the party during its most difficult moments in the 2022 elections and securing a notable mandate of 12,075 votes, as well as being the face of the Azimio-led demonstrations in 2023, this decision follows extensive consultations with grassroots supporters and my campaign team,” the letter read.
She further noted that the party’s current political trajectory fails to address the pressing priorities of the people she represents.
“As a leader, my duty is to ensure my constituents have a voice in key national decision-making platforms,” she added.
In a surprise announcement, Mwendia declared her intention to vie for the Laikipia Senatorial seat in the upcoming general election — a move that sets up a potential showdown with incumbent Senator John Kinyua, who is expected to defend his seat on a Democratic Conservative Party (DCP) ticket.
Mwendia described her next political chapter as a strategic effort to strengthen the “Government Wing” in Laikipia, a move reportedly supported by influential regional leaders.
The mass defection underscores growing political realignments in Laikipia County and signals shifting loyalties ahead of the 2027 General Election.
