Kioni Draws Laughter in Nakuru with Thinly Veiled Dig at Gachagua During Jubilee Event

Jeremiah Kioni on Tuesday amused residents of Nakuru after delivering a subtle but pointed jab widely interpreted as targeting Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking during the official opening of a Jubilee Party office, Kioni stressed that his party remains committed to genuinely engaging with wananchi and understanding their needs. 

However, without mentioning any names, he appeared to dismiss the popular political catchphrase “listening to the ground,” often associated with Gachagua.

Kioni remarked that the phrase could easily be misunderstood to mean seeking direction from “our forefathers,” whom he jokingly suggested are in no position to offer solutions to present-day challenges. 

The comment was met with laughter from the crowd, many of whom appeared to immediately grasp the underlying political jab.

The Jubilee deputy leader did not stop there. He also took aim at politicians who repeatedly invoke the name of former President Uhuru Kenyatta in their public addresses, insisting that Uhuru belongs to one political formation and deserves respect as such.

The remarks come against the backdrop of an escalating political contest between Jubilee and DCP, both of which are aggressively positioning themselves for dominance in the Mt Kenya region. 

Gachagua has been actively working to consolidate his influence across the vote-rich area, setting the stage for sharp exchanges between rival camps.

The Nakuru event attracted several senior Jubilee figures, including the party’s presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i, alongside aspirants and grassroots leaders from the county.

Matiang’i has recently intensified efforts to strengthen Jubilee’s grassroots structures, rolling out party offices across the country. 

Plans are underway to open additional offices in Nyandarua, Murang’a, Nyamira, and Kisii before the end of the month, ahead of wider national tours.

As political temperatures rise ahead of the 2027 elections, Kioni’s remarks underscore the sharpening battle lines as parties jostle for influence in key regions.