Why Kioni Was Forced to Tone Down Attacks on Gachagua – Malala

A side by side image of Jubelee Deputy Party leader Jeremiah Kioni and DCP Deputy Party leader Cleophas Malala

Former Kakamega Senator and Democracy for the Citizen’s Party deputy leader Cleophas Malala has claimed that shifting political alignments within Jubilee Party forced Deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni to tone down his attacks on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking during an Interview at TV47, Malala said the change followed the emergence of a working relationship between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Gachagua, which he described as strategic and deliberate.

According to Malala, Jubilee’s internal political calculations made it necessary for party officials to soften public criticism directed at Gachagua in order to avoid undermining the new alignment.

“Tayari Uhuru na Rigathi Gachagua wanafanya kazi pamoja, na ndiyo maana hata Kioni ilibidi wamweke chini kidogo,” Malala said.

Malala claimed that Kioni had previously been among the most vocal critics of Gachagua, but was compelled to scale back his remarks as the political landscape within Jubilee shifted.

He further alleged that the cooperation between Uhuru and Gachagua is aimed at ensuring President William Ruto does not secure a second term in office.

“Ninawahakikishia Wakenya kwamba Uhuru na Rigathi Gachagua wanafanya kazi pamoja kumfanya Ruto awe rais wa muhula mmoja,” he added.

The former senator also linked the alleged Jubilee realignments to broader opposition politics, arguing that similar tensions are playing out within the Orange Democratic Movement.

According to Malala, leaders including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino are opposed to what he described as the compromise of ODM’s political principles.

“Kuna viongozi ndani ya ODM ambao hawakubaliani na mwelekeo unaochukuliwa na baadhi ya wakubwa wa chama,” Malala said.

He claimed that the disagreements could eventually lead to expulsions or the formation of a separate political outfit under the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

In a recent past Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni disclosed that the same strategy used to secure Uhuru Kenyatta's victory in 2013 will be invoked to ensure their candidate, Fred Matiang'i,  becomes President in 2027.

Speaking during an interview on Monday, February 2, Kioni likened Matiang'i's candidacy to Kenyatta's, explaining that more was at stake.

He disclosed that Uhuru was hesitant to run for the top office, but it was the people around the party who pushed him to do so.

"Uhuru Kenyatta was very reluctant to run, but the people who were behind him, led by William Kabogo, Jomo Maisori, and Naomi Shaban, told him, 'It is not you looking for this office, but us who are behind you'," Kioni stated.

The Deputy Party leader remarked that he could see the same happening with Matiang'i, but this time, it is the electorate who will back him to succeed President William Ruto.