Jubilee Party to IEBC: Use by-elections to restore public trust ahead of 2027 polls

Members of the Jubilee Party at the party's headquarters in Nairobi during the reception of new entrants into the outfit on November 4, 2025. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

By Barack Oduor
Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Kioni said the by-elections will not only be about measuring the strengths and popularity of political parties but also how well the IEBC is prepared for the general election.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's party, Jubilee, has cautioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission over the upcoming by-elections.

The party on Tuesday in Nairobi said the electoral agency must use the mini-polls to restore the confidence of Kenyans ahead of the 2027 General Election.

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The party's Secretary General, Jeremiah Kioni, said the by-elections will not only be about measuring the strengths and popularity of political parties but also how well the IEBC is prepared for the general election.

"The IEBC should take caution that these by-elections are a test of its preparedness for the main contest in 2027. It must restore confidence among Kenyans that it will not be influenced," said Kioni.

Speaking while receiving defectors from other parties in various electoral units within the Nairobi City County, Kioni said the electoral agency should be well prepared for the mini polls as they prepare to front a candidate for the presidency.

"We, as the Jubilee Party, are well prepared to produce a presidential candidate who is tried and tested. We would also want the IEBC to assure Kenyans that there will be no complaints arising from any incapacity," said Kioni.

Kioni and members of the party who spoke in the forum said that the unveiling of former cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i as their presidential candidate and deputy leader is an enough indication that they're fully prepared to dislodge President William Ruto from power.

The meeting came a few days after the outfit officially appointed Matiang'i as its presidential candidate and deputy party leader, signalling his formal return to active politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking after a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last week, Kioni announced the resolutions, saying the committee had unanimously endorsed Matiang'i to be the face of the party going forward.

"Alongside that, we have also resolved that Dr Matiang'i represents us at the United Opposition, and on top of that, we also received formally his application to be the Jubilee presidential candidate," he said.

According to Kioni, the NEC approved Matiang'i's application and resolved that he would carry the party's flag as its presidential candidate in the next election.

The announcement marks a significant milestone for both Matiang'i and the Jubilee Party, which has been working to reassert its political relevance after internal divisions and shifting alliances weakened its influence since 2022.