UHURU EXTENDS OLIVE BRANCH TO GACHAGUA , CALLS OUT KIONI OVER DIVISIVE POLITICS

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has extended an olive branch to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, urging members of his Jubilee Party to end divisive politics and embrace a spirit of unity as the party reorganizes at the grassroots.

Speaking during a meeting with Jubilee grassroots leaders at Thika Greens in Murang’a County on Friday 7, Uhuru cautioned party officials and supporters against engaging in personal attacks or online confrontations, warning that indiscipline would not be tolerated within the party.

“I will not tolerate members insulting one another,” he said in Kikuyu. “While I hold this leadership, and until I hand it over to someone else to advance the party, anyone who engages in such conduct will be shown the door — out means out! If you want to behave that way, find another party, not this one. Are we understanding each other?”

The remarks were received with applause from party members, who backed Uhuru’s renewed call for order and respect. He reminded them that Jubilee’s strength lies in maintaining discipline and focusing on issue-based politics.

In a pointed message, Uhuru called out the party’s Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni for allegedly fueling unnecessary online exchanges in the name of defending the party. He expressed disappointment over Jubilee members who have attacked other leaders, including Gachagua, under the guise of party loyalty.

“Insults will not take you anywhere. It is respect that takes a person far,” he said. “And to the Secretary General (Jeremiah Kioni), I want to say — this habit of constantly following and reacting to what is being said online, where people say they are defending Jubilee by insulting Gachagua and others, I do not want that behaviour.”

He warned that anyone found engaging in such conduct would face disciplinary action. “It’s sad that most of them are party officials, and let me say this — before I hand over this party, if they continue doing so, I will not hesitate to call them out and send them packing,” he added.

Uhuru’s statement appeared to extend an olive branch to Gachagua, signaling a willingness to ease political tensions that have existed since the 2022 elections. His call for restraint was seen as an appeal to rebuild Jubilee’s image through mutual respect rather than confrontation.

Uhuru urged Jubilee members to shift their focus toward promoting the party’s values and development agenda instead of engaging in divisive rhetoric. He emphasized that political maturity would restore public confidence in the party.

“We want to sell our agenda as Jubilee. We want leaders who are respected, and leaders who can move this country forward,” he said.

He also encouraged younger members of the party to step up and take part in leadership. “Gen Zs must be given an opportunity to take positions of leadership so that they choose for themselves the Kenya they want to live in. Wafunguliwe nafasi,” he added.

The former president reaffirmed Jubilee’s commitment to unity, discipline, and structured rebuilding at the grassroots level.

Jubilee deputy party leader and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i echoed Uhuru’s sentiments, urging members to stay hopeful and focused on the party’s future.

“Don’t lose hope. Our better days are coming and we will cross that bridge after the elections. We will go forward and continue this journey of building a great country, and together we will go to the destination that the Lord wants us to go,” Matiang’i said.

After the fallout between Gachagua and President William Ruto, the former number two — who had previously been a fierce critic of Uhuru Kenyatta — gradually developed a softer tone toward the former Head of State, signaling an intention to mend their strained relationship.

Uhuru, on the other hand, had largely kept his distance from Gachagua. However, his Friday remarks appeared to mark the beginning of a possible thaw between the two, suggesting an openness to reconciliation that had long seemed unlikely.

As Jubilee rebuilds its structures ahead of the 2027 General Election, Uhuru’s call for restraint and reconciliation reflects a broader effort to reposition the party — and possibly align with other like-minded political formations seeking to reshape Kenya’s opposition landscape.