Regional pointmen accuse Jubilee of sidelining them

Key regional figures who campaigned for the Jubilee have accused President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy Wiliam Ruto of abandoning them after they assumed high office.

The group is accusing the two leaders of being aloof and unreachable. Apart from that, they claimed that they are no longer consulted on matters of national interest yet they are the people on the ground.

The criticism adds to the Opposition’s condemnation of spiraling cost of living, runaway insecurity and high level of corruption. 

At least six leaders who campaigned for Jubilee in the last General Election but lost in the seats they were eyeing are reportedly holding a flurry of secret meetings to chart their political path.

Former National Assembly Speaker Francis ole Kaparo, former ministers Minister Njeru Githae (Finance), Minister Chirau Ali Mwakere (Transport), Minister Eugene Wamalwa (Justice), Prof Sam Ongeri (Education), and Narc Chairman Kiema Kilonzo are apprehensive about the Jubilee government winning a second term if it does not improve the situation.

Waning support

The six held a secret meeting at a Nairobi hotel on Wednesday and are scheduled to again meet next week including more of Jubilee’s former regional pillar.

Although one of the politicians told The Standard that the meetings aim at devising a political strategy to counter the growing influence of the Opposition, it has been established that the leaders are unhappy with the Government’s waning support.

The politician have accused Uhuru and Ruto of perpetuating tribalism and practising politics of exclusion in public appointments leaving out those who brought them votes.

Another source who attended the meeting and asked not to be named said the leaders are plotting to form a formidable vehicle ahead of the 2017 General Election.

“We were the face of Jubilee in our regions and due to our influence, Jubilee got thousands of votes,” said the source.