Jubilee Party has dismissed the reported departure of several of its members in Nairobi, saying those presenting themselves as defectors had already been suspended over alleged misconduct and interference with party affairs.
In a statement attributed to Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i, the party said it respected the constitutional right of individuals to choose their political affiliations but maintained that the latest departures should be viewed in their proper political context.
Matiang’i said the affected individuals were suspended several months ago following concerns over alleged misconduct, mismanagement of party affairs and persistent interference with established party structures and processes.
The party also cited complaints over alleged attempts to solicit money from aspirants, describing such conduct as inconsistent with Jubilee’s principles and leadership standards.
“The disciplinary measures taken against them were therefore not political retaliation, but necessary steps to protect the integrity of the Party, its members, its structures and the democratic processes through which aspirants and leaders must be treated fairly,” Matiang’i said.
He said what had been portrayed as a sudden political defection was, in some cases, merely the formalisation of positions that had been apparent for some time.
According to Matiang’i, some individuals who secured elective positions or held party offices under the Jubilee banner had increasingly operated outside the party’s programmes, structures and collective decisions.
He cautioned against portraying the departures as a mass movement away from Jubilee, saying individual political decisions should not be equated with the position of the party’s wider membership or Nairobi electorate.
“Jubilee Party ticket was and is not merely a vehicle for individual political ambitions. It represented the confidence and support of a political movement and its members,” he said.
Rather than focus on the defections, Matiang’i said Jubilee was concentrating on rebuilding and reorganising its structures ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He said the party was renewing its grassroots structures at ward, constituency and county levels while engaging members and identifying leaders committed to the party’s programmes and values.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary said Nairobi would be central to the party’s renewal strategy, citing the city’s political diversity and the growing demand among residents for practical solutions to the cost of living, youth unemployment, housing, insecurity, transport and access to public services.
Matiang’i said Jubilee would seek to position itself as a serious political alternative by focusing on policy, service delivery and grassroots organisation rather than personality-driven politics.
“The 2027 General Election will not be won through social media arguments, political theatrics or endless commentary on who has moved from one party to another,” he said.
“It will be won by organizations that are present in every ward, every constituency and every community, with credible leaders who understand the concerns of the people.”
He said Jubilee was open to new members, aspirants, professionals, community leaders, young people, women and entrepreneurs willing to work towards what he described as responsible, inclusive and competent leadership.
“We are not interested in politics driven by personalities alone. We are building a movement anchored in values, policy, discipline and service to the people,” Matiang’i said.
He added that the party would continue preparing candidates and strengthening its structures as it seeks to regain political ground in Nairobi and across the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
