Matiang’i defends Uhuru amid ODM agents' payment controversy

Jubilee Party presidential candidate and deputy party leader Dr Fred Matiang’i has come out strongly to defend former President Uhuru Kenyatta following renewed criticism from leaders within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over the alleged mismanagement of funds meant for election agents during the 2022 General Election.

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, Matiang’i dismissed the controversy as a distraction, accusing ODM leaders of focusing on trivial issues instead of addressing matters of national importance.

“Instead of focusing on important issues, you are trivially focusing on petty things about which agent was paid and not paid,” Matiang’i said.

The former Interior Cabinet Secretary questioned why Uhuru Kenyatta was being dragged into the dispute, arguing that responsibility for agents lay with those who recruited and managed them.

“Concerns about agents who were paid or not paid should be addressed to those who hired them. Why should this be turned into a national issue?” he posed.

Matiang’i urged political leaders to stop what he described as unnecessary attacks on the former president, insisting that Uhuru had no direct role in the management of party agents.

“We want to ask our colleagues in national leadership to stop attacking our party leader and stop dragging him into irrelevancies, things that have absolutely nothing to do with him or Jubilee,” he said.

The remarks come amid an ongoing public fallout within ODM, sparked by allegations from party officials that funds meant for Azimio la Umoja election agents were misused. Some ODM leaders have insinuated that individuals close to Uhuru Kenyatta were responsible for the alleged failure to pay agents.

However, Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni also dismissed the claims, shifting blame back to ODM leadership.

“If resources had been managed properly, we would not be having this conversation today,” Kioni said, maintaining that Uhuru Kenyatta should not be scapegoated for internal party failures.

Matiang’i reiterated Jubilee’s commitment to peaceful politics and democratic competition, warning against reviving 2022 election grievances for political gain.

“As Jubilee, we believe in unity, peace, and issue-based politics. Kenya deserves better than endless blame games,” he added.

Jubilee Youth League leader Angel Mbuthia also addressed the dispute, warning against what she described as repeated provocation directed at the party.

“Hao majamaa pia wamekuja sana,” Mbuthia said.

“They touched our toes and we kept quiet. They touched our ankles and we kept quiet. They touched our knees and we kept quiet. Now they are massaging our thighs. We cannot continue to keep quiet.”

The exchange highlights growing tensions within opposition ranks as political realignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 General Election, with leaders increasingly positioning themselves and defending key political figures.