By Felix Njenga
Jubilee Party Deputy Leader and presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i has strongly criticized the Kenya Kwanza administration over what he described as rising cost of living, worsening insecurity, and widespread mismanagement of the country, warning that Kenya risks deeper crisis if urgent corrective action is not taken.
Speaking during a Jubilee Party delegates’ meeting in Kiambu Town, which was later postponed in solidarity with nationwide protests over fuel prices and economic hardship, Matiang’i said the party had resolved to suspend its political activities for a week to stand with suffering Kenyans.
He said the decision followed consultations by the Jubilee National Executive Committee (NEC), in discussion with party leader and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The meeting had brought together party officials, aspirants, church leaders, and supporters to deliberate on the country’s political and economic direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“We stand in solidarity with the rest of Kenyans during the ongoing shutdown. We have decided to postpone today’s meeting until next week so that we can join fellow citizens in reflecting on the crisis facing our country,” Matiang’i said.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary accused the government of steering the country into economic and social turmoil, citing corruption, poor governance, and incompetence as key drivers of the current challenges.
“The country is at a standstill. Everywhere you go there is pain. Fuel prices have doubled our campaign expenditure and ordinary wananchi are suffering even more,” he said, arguing that mismanagement of public resources had worsened living conditions.
Matiang’i warned that Kenya was sliding into a deeper crisis, pointing to what he termed historic levels of insecurity, including rising cases of robberies, harassment, and lawlessness across the country.
“The level of insecurity in this country is historic. Citizens are angry and frustrated, and the country is heading in the wrong direction,” he said.
He also accused the government of ignoring repeated warnings from religious leaders, including the Catholic Bishops, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), and the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), who have raised concerns over governance and economic hardship.
“Instead of listening, what we see is arrogance, insults and complete disinterest in solving the country’s problems,” he said.
Matiang’i further claimed that the current administration had reversed economic gains made under the Jubilee government, saying key sectors such as education, healthcare, and security were now under strain.
He also criticized the government-to-government fuel import arrangement, claiming it had contributed to rising fuel prices and increased pressure on households.
“Our government will never enter into fictitious and criminal agreements that push fuel prices beyond the reach of ordinary citizens,” he said.
Throughout the meeting, supporters chanted “one term” slogans in reference to President William Ruto, as Matiang’i declared that the current leadership had failed Kenyans.
He urged citizens to remain hopeful and prepare for political change, saying democracy allows voters to replace governments that fail to deliver.
“Let us stay united and elect a government that will move this country forward. Kenya deserves better leadership,” he said.
Matiang’i also relayed a message from Uhuru Kenyatta, who reportedly declined to attend the meeting, saying it would be inappropriate to engage in political planning while citizens are suffering.
The party top leadership led by Secretary General Ole Kenta also attended the forum.
Other Jubilee leaders, including Deputy Party Leader Beatrice Gambo and Youth Leader Angel Mbuthia, echoed Matiang’i’s criticism and urged support for Jubilee ahead of the next elections, saying economic hardship was being felt across the country.
The party announced that the postponed Kiambu meeting will resume next week, where further political strategies and positions ahead of the 2027 General Election are expected to be unveiled.
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