In a press conference on Friday, the Jubilee Party, led by Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, gathered members from Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Kakamega counties to voice urgent concerns affecting the Kenyan populace, particularly the challenges surrounding medical services and the political climate created by potential impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Kioni began by highlighting the escalating healthcare crisis, specifically criticizing the government’s transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance (SHA). He pointed out that the shift has significantly increased the costs of essential medical treatments, particularly for dialysis patients. “Kenyans are dying every day due to high costs of medical services,” Kioni lamented, emphasizing that the government’s focus should be on critical health issues rather than political maneuvers.
The Jubilee Secretary General urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to prioritize the needs of their constituents instead of their self-interest. “When MPs make decisions in parliament, they should know that they are representing Kenyans,” he asserted.
Pascaline Kimei, a Jubilee member from Moiben, echoed these sentiments, calling on President William Ruto to halt the impeachment talks and to concentrate on the pressing issues facing voters. She painted a dire picture of the healthcare situation in the Rift Valley, noting the closure of several hospitals and the loss of lives due to inadequate medical services. Kimei urged the government to revert to the NHIF model, highlighting the financial burden that the SHA has imposed on dialysis patients.
Addressing the issue of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kioni criticized the President for not appointing new commissioners, suggesting that this inaction is politically motivated and could hinder upcoming by-elections.
Jubilee leaders from counties of Nandi , Uasin Gichu and Kakamega voiced their grievances at Jubilee headquarters hosted by Party SG
The most contentious topic, however, was the potential impeachment of Deputy President Gachagua. Kioni expressed concerns that such political moves were deliberately aimed at fostering division among communities, particularly within the Mount Kenya region. He drew parallels to the violence and community strife witnessed during the 2007 post-election period, warning against a repeat of history. “What this impeachment of the Deputy President is about is community lynching,” he stated, recalling the tragic outcomes of political tribalism that led to the deaths of over 3,000 individuals in 2007.
Kioni urged President Ruto, should Gachagua be impeached, to consider appointing someone from outside the Mount Kenya region to the deputy president position. He argued that maintaining the seat within the region could exacerbate divisions and complicate the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Robert Kemei, another Jubilee Party speaker, also voiced criticism of the government’s handling of economic issues, particularly the plight of farmers. He highlighted the soaring prices of maize, which has reached Ksh 2,000 per bag in Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties. Kemei urged MPs to reconnect with their constituents and to reflect the concerns of ordinary Kenyans in their legislative efforts.
The Jubilee Party’s press conference encapsulated the party’s growing frustrations with the current administration, calling for immediate action on healthcare and economic challenges while simultaneously warning against the political fragmentation that could arise from the ongoing impeachment discussions. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the Jubilee Party’s calls for unity and focus on the common good resonate as pivotal themes in the current discourse.