Jeremiah Kioni Claims Rigathi Gachagua’s 1-Year Achievements Surpass Raila’s 30 Years in Opposition

Jeremiah Kioni Claims Rigathi Gachagua’s 1-Year Achievements Surpass Raila’s 30 Years in Opposition

Former Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has sparked fresh political debate after asserting that the opposition activities of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over the past year have had a greater impact than decades of activism by the late opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Kioni made the remarks on Tuesday, March 24, during the official opening of the Jubilee Party’s Nyandarua County headquarters in Ol’Kalou, an event that drew party supporters and regional leaders.

Odinga, who for many years was the face of opposition politics in Kenya, died on October 15, 2025, after leading reform movements and anti-government campaigns across multiple administrations.

Addressing supporters, Kioni recalled his participation in nationwide protests over the rising cost of living, symbolised by a metal cooking pot — or sufuria — which demonstrators carried to highlight economic hardship.

Holding the pot aloft, he said it remained empty despite years of political struggle.

“I still have my sufuria here. I do not keep it down. That is why we are saying ‘Tuko Kadi’ because it is still empty,” Kioni said, urging Kenyans to register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

He argued that Gachagua’s actions since his impeachment in October 2024 had galvanised public sentiment and placed pressure on the government more effectively than past opposition efforts.

“What Gachagua has achieved in the last one or so years, Raila was unable to achieve for all the time he led us in protests,” Kioni told the crowd.

“This time, the country is united in saying ‘Wantam.’ We give that credit to Gachagua,” he added, referring to a popular opposition slogan calling for political change.

Despite the praise for Gachagua, Kioni said the Jubilee Party and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) would conduct separate but peaceful campaigns in the Mt. Kenya region, emphasising unity of purpose rather than formal political merger.

He indicated that both parties aim to build a broad opposition coalition to challenge President William Ruto in the next election while safeguarding regional interests.

Claims of betrayal and calls for accountability

Kioni also criticised Members of Parliament who supported Gachagua’s removal from office, accusing them of betraying the Mt. Kenya electorate.

He suggested those lawmakers could face repercussions at the ballot box.

His remarks came days after a meeting with Gachagua, during which the two leaders discussed what Kioni described as pressing national challenges and the need for renewed leadership.

“Our country stands at a critical crossroads, and decisive, people-centered leadership is no longer optional; it is necessary,” Kioni said of the discussions.

“Our conversation focused on building a united, inclusive, and pragmatic path toward rescuing our country,” he added.

Political observers view the meeting as part of broader efforts to consolidate opposition forces ahead of 2027, particularly in regions seen as electorally decisive.

New role within Jubilee

Separately, Kioni confirmed his transition from Secretary General to a newly created position of Deputy Party Leader in charge of operations within the Jubilee Party.

He said the leadership changes followed internal consultations and were intended to strengthen the party’s organisational capacity after years of legal disputes and political turbulence.

Reflecting on his tenure as Secretary General, Kioni noted that the period was marked by intense battles over party control, which at times threatened its survival.

Nonetheless, he expressed confidence that Jubilee remains a key player in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.

A charged political atmosphere

Kioni’s comparison between Gachagua and Odinga has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters praising the renewed opposition momentum while critics argue that Odinga’s long career shaped Kenya’s democratic reforms in ways that cannot be measured solely by recent political activity.

As preparations for the 2027 polls gather pace, statements such as these highlight the increasingly charged rhetoric among political actors seeking to position themselves and their allies as the most credible agents of change.

For voters, the coming months are likely to feature intensified mobilisation, shifting alliances, and competing narratives about who can best address the country’s economic and governance challenges.

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Jeremiah Kioni Claims Rigathi Gachagua’s 1-Year Achievements Surpass Raila’s 30 Years in Opposition