Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni at Jubilee headquarters in Nairobi yesterday. Photo courtesy
Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has raised serious concerns regarding the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, characterizing it as a dangerous plot aimed at undermining the interests of the Mount Kenya community.
During a press conference, Kioni drew parallels between the current political climate and the divisive tensions that preceded the 2007 post-election violence, famously summarizing the situation as “41 against one.”
Kioni criticized the government’s approach to the impeachment, asserting that it lacks the necessary civic education and public awareness amid Kenya’s existing challenges. “Impeachment should be the last issue,” he lamented, urging President William Ruto to cease what he termed “drama” in the political arena. He warned that should Gachagua be impeached, Kenyans might soon pursue the impeachment of the entire government, a sentiment he claimed was echoed by the younger generation, particularly Gen Z activists.
Highlighting a broader climate of repression, Kioni pointed to recent arrests of several leaders and activists, including Safina Party Leader Jimi Wanjigi , activist Kebaso Morara and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, who have been vocal in their support for the Kenyan populace.
He condemned the government’s actions as an infringement on civil liberties, noting that every time an individual is detained, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) seizes personal devices to invade privacy.
Kioni also criticized the transition of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance (SHA), calling it a mechanism to further oppress vulnerable citizens struggling to afford basic medical care.
He expressed alarm at reports of extra judicial killings, abductions and a cold atmosphere where unidentified bodies rejected by the city mortuary showing that Kenyans are dying day and night, an indicative of a healthcare system in crisis while the government remains preoccupied with political maneuvering.
“The game being played is a significant threat to Kenya, particularly for the Mount Kenya region, echoing the manipulative tactics of 2007,” Kioni warned, urging caution against the current impeachment efforts. He directed his criticism toward Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, suggesting he is being used to divide the Mount Kenya community. “Today you may be used to impeach DP Gachagua and replace him but tomorrow it could be you who is targeted,” he cautioned.
Kioni’s remarks highlight growing unrest within the mountain and broader concerns about governance and civil liberties in Kenya.
As the political landscape shifts, the implications of these developments could resonate deeply within the country’s socio-political fabric.