Jubilee MP Blames Uhuru for By-Election Defeats

National Assembly Deputy Majority Chief Whip Maoka Maore has blamed Jubilee Party's loses in recent by-elections on President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Igembe North MP accused the Head of State of favouring civil servants over politicians, and entrusting them to conduct official party business.

Maore claimed that President Kenyatta’s reliance on technocrats and civil servants to spearhead party campaigns is detrimental to Jubilee.

File image of National Assembly Deputy Majority Chief Whip Maoka Maore. |Photo| Courtesy|

The MP told Daily Nation on May 21, 2021, that the Jubilee Party leader has no time for politicians.

“Politicians understand the feelings of ordinary people. The defeat of Jubilee in Bonchari, where civl servants and a top Cabinet Secretary were at the centre of the operations, sums everything up,” Maore stated, adding that President Kenyatta prefers the company of civil servants even while launching projects in the country.

The Deputy Majority Whip noted that Jubilee should learn from the by-election loses and avoid a similar fate in the upcoming Kiambaa mini polls. The seat fell vacant after the death of MP Paul Koinange.

Jubilee has won only one of six by-elections held in the Mount Kenya region. This has raised concerns within the president's camp of Jubilee's dwindling support in the region.

Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu blamed the by-election loses in Juja constituency and Rurii ward to divisions within the ruling party.

“We mismanaged the campaigns right from the nominations. Our competitors were smart enough to take advantage of our mistakes. It is also important to note that Jubilee split into factions. These divisions affected our performance,” Ngunjiri said.

“The outcomes are being addressed by the party leader himself,” he added.

The first time MP assured that the Head of State will be more involved in party matters going forward.