Jubilee party secretary general Jeremiah Kioni had claimed that President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has lost popularity in Mt Kenya region.

Kioni who was speaking during an interview with Spice FM on Monday January 22, 2024 said that voters from Mt Kenya region will not support the re-election of President William Ruto in the 2027 general elections.

The Jubilee party secretary general insisted that most residents from the region were disappointed with the Kenya Kwanza administration, even though they didn’t express their disappointment in street protests.

“They didn’t come out during demonstrations that were there, and may not even take part in future protests, but the people who will force the guy (Ruto) out is Mt Kenya, as almost 100 percent of people from Mt Kenya have said enough is enough,” said Kioni. 

According to Jeremiah Kioni, most people from the region voted for the Kenya Kwanza government, although the region was also used to allegedly rig votes during the August 2022 general elections.

READ ALSO: “If Ruto wants to succeed he should drop Gachagua”- Alai

“Voters from the region voted for Ruto but Mt Kenya was also heavily used to rig elections in 2022,” he said. 

He alleged that UDA rigged votes from the region because the Jubilee party failed to pick reliable agents that were compromised during the elections.

However, he explained that the Jubilee party with the help of residents from the region will ensure no single vote is stolen in 2027.

“This time round, more genuine party agents will volunteer themselves to ensure no votes are stolen during the 2027 elections, therefore nobody will rig votes again from the Mt Kenya region,” Jeremiah Kioni explained.

“Even if William takes the role of Chebukati, no votes will be stolen from Mt Kenya in 2027,” he added. 

Kioni’s remarks emerged at a time when there were wrangles within the region about who is the kingpin and the best running mate for president Ruto in the 2027 elections. 

A section of politicians from Mt Kenya are of the view that deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is best suited for the position while others feel Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro should be crowned as Mt Kenya kingpin.

READ ALSO: DP Gachagua is Mt Kenya kingpin, declares Sabina Chege

For instance, nominated MP Sabina Chege is among the leaders who maintain that Gachagua is the Mt Kenya kingpin and is still best suited to be Ruto’s running mate in 2027.

However, Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has maintained that President Ruto should drop his deputy Rigathi Gachagua in order to win elections in 2027.

READ ALSO: Ruto’s cabinet secretaries have no interest of Kenyans, says Donald Kipkorir

Speaking during an interview with TV47 on January 17, 2024, Alai explained that the president should replace his deputy and appoint new cabinet secretaries in order to win the confidence of Kenyans.

“I want President Ruto to succeed. If President Ruto was to succeed he had to probably overhaul the cabinet starting from the deputy president going down,” said Alai.