Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has warned that fielding a presidential candidate from Mount Kenya region would fracture the region’s vote and give President William Ruto a free pass to extend his hold on power for another 5 years.

Speaking during an interview with Spice FM on Monday September 29, 2025, Kioni dismissed the obsession with flag bearer debates, urging the opposition to first address the issues that drove Kenyans, particularly Gen Z, to the streets.

Kioni also criticized the treatment of key figures within the opposition coalition, citing how former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i was sidelined, and questioned the opposition’s unity when leaders publicly insult potential allies.

“If unity is the goal, why attack us? They once called Uhuru Kenyatta a red wheelbarrow. Do you insult someone you hope to work with? Suddenly, they’re the ones fed up with wheelbarrows,” he posed.

The Jubilee Secretary-General maintained that the opposition’s strength lies not in personalities, but in addressing Kenyans’ concerns and standing firm against what he described as government intimidation.

At the same time, he accused ODM of betraying the Azimio coalition, insisting that Jubilee remains the only opposition party formally recognized by both the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) and the Speaker of the National Assembly.

“In this united opposition, some want six people to decide the flag bearer. I disagree. In the last Azimio election, they chose for themselves without consulting Kenyans, and repeating that will only please Ruto to State House,” Kioni said.