Jubilee Secretary General Criticizes UDA Government’s Direction

Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni hosted a meeting with representatives from Murang’a County, led by the Jubilee Branch Office in Murang’a, to discuss pressing national and local issues.

“We appreciate and thank you for getting time for us to talk about a few things,” Kioni began. “We have this morning been visited by people from Murang’a County, led by our branch office, Jubilee Branch Office in Murang’a. And we have discussed many issues including what is going on at the national level, but also issues that are affecting us at the county and issues that we need to continue highlighting.”

One of the key points of discussion was the current state of the UDA government.

Kioni expressed relief that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has recognized the dangers posed by the UDA administration.

“The danger that we laced during the campaigns, but it was difficult for them to see it then,” he noted.

Kioni further criticized the UDA’s lack of direction, especially concerning the mountain region. “Now we are happy that they have now come to the realization that UDA has no direction and it is taking us nowhere. And especially those from the mountain region,” he said.

He highlighted the ongoing issues faced by the people of Murang’a, including unpaid coffee dues and the collapse of the avocado industry since 2022.

The looming finance bill also drew Kioni’s ire.

He warned that the bill “holds no good for us as a country and also as people from the mountain region.” Kioni referenced President William Ruto’s call for leaders to criticize Gachagua, stating, “Not that Gachagua is not there, but they are in Gachagua and it is good if they think that some want to be bashed, they should be the first to be bashed.”

He  clarified that his criticism was not out of support for Gachagua but out of a shared concern. “We are saying this not because we are supporters of Gachagua, but he has finally seen the light that we have always talked about.”

Kioni announced plans for an upcoming meeting in Murang’a to further discuss the finance bill and its implications. “We have agreed to have it on the 11th of this month so that we have an opportunity to talk about the finance bill and the implication of the finance bill in our region and across the country.”

He outlined several concerns with the finance bill, including increased costs for financial transactions, edible oil, and transportation. “The cost of edible oil, you had the industrialists themselves saying that if there are no amends being done to the proposed taxes on edible oil, 13 companies will go home or will relocate from this country,” he stated.

Kioni also touched on the “one man, one vote, one shilling” mantra, emphasizing its importance beyond the mountain region. “When you say one shilling, one vote, or one man, one vote, one shilling, we are not saying that the money is going to people who are poor,” he clarified.

Finally, Kioni highlighted the conditions set by the World Bank and IMF for Kenya to receive more loans, including integrating refugees into public service. “We must ensure that the refugees in Kenya have been registered or have been emigrated to the public service,” he said, questioning how Kenya could employ refugees when there are already challenges in employing its own citizens.

Kioni’s remarks underscored a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the current government’s direction and policies, setting the stage for further discussions and actions to address these concerns in the coming weeks.