Fred Matiang’i the Jubilee Party’s presidential candidate on Wednesday snubbed the united opposition’s tour of Ukambani, deepening speculation of a widening rift within the outfit.
The fallout stems from a dispute between Jubilee and the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) over the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election.
Jubilee has insisted it will field its own candidate in the mini-poll, defying calls for a joint opposition ticket.
In a statement dated Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and signed by Secretary General Montalel Ole Kenta, the party maintained that the Ol Kalou seat rightfully belongs to Jubilee, noting that the late Member of Parliament, David Kiaraho, was elected on a Jubilee ticket.
“The Ol Kalou seat is a Jubilee seat, and we intend to defend it,” the statement read in part. “Our commitment to the alliance remains, but we must also respect the will of our supporters and the legacy of our elected leaders.”
However, DCP Secretary General Hezron Obaga dismissed Jubilee’s position, accusing the Uhuru Kenyatta–led party of undermining coalition unity.
Obaga said DCP is fully prepared to contest the by-election and will not back down even if it means facing off with Jubilee.
“DCP will not be intimidated or sidelined,” Obaga declared. “We have seen this before—in Narok North, Jubilee fielded a candidate despite our frontrunner status. We will not allow a repeat of those mistakes.”
Obaga further accused former Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni of campaigning against DCP candidates in previous by-elections, including those in Isiolo and Narok.
He insisted that DCP is not a junior partner in the opposition alliance and will assert its political independence.
Multiple sources within the opposition reveal Rigathi Gachagua, the DCP leader is burning the midnight oil to ensure he bulldozes Kalonzo Musyoka through, to be picked as their flagbearer.
DCP feels, Fred Matiang’i is former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s project and it would be hard to collaborate with him, without Uhuru’s influence, if he becomes the opposition’s 2027 torchbearer.
Already, the DCP and Wiper parties are working without involving Jubilee Party, on a framework that will see Wiper and DCP share seats in Nairobi, in exchange for Gachagua’s support to Kalonzo for the presidency.
