Kioni rejects Raila's proposal for national conclave, says it's wasteful

Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni (center) flanked by Jubilee Party Kisii Women Caucus on July 17, 2025. [Kanyiri Wahito,Standard]

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has dismissed ODM leader Raila Odinga’s proposal for a national conclave, terming it unnecessary and politically motivated.

Odinga, during a Saba Saba press briefing, had called for the formation of a national conclave to chart a new path for Kenya through inclusive civic engagement.

But Kioni argued that Kenyans already know the country’s problems and do not need another round of talks. He accused leaders pushing for the conclave of advancing selfish interests.

‘’Kenyans know the problem that they are facing. There is no need to sit down again to discuss…why? Sit down and spend taxpayers' money again for things already said in many other reports,” Kioni questioned.

He claimed the proposed discussions are a ploy by political leaders to cling to power for the next two years, noting that the country has already addressed similar issues through previous reports, including the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), the Kriegler and Waki reports, the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC), and the Ndung’u report.

Jubilee Sec-Gen Kioni claims theft and property destruction during Saba Saba protests were carried out by state-hired goons, accuses government of harassing youth. pic.twitter.com/e2HeeomaI0 — KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) July 17, 2025

Kioni also dismissed claims by Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri that the Jubilee Party was working with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the party’s last NDC explicitly prohibited such an alliance.