The deputy leader of the Jubilee Party, Jeremiah Kioni, has made bold claims about the future of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and indicated that the ruling party will not be seeking re-election under the party ticket in the 2027 general elections.

In a hard-hitting political analysis on a local radio station on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Kioni said that strategic rebranding will be the option within the ruling coalition and argued that the existing structure of the party may not exist intact into the next electoral cycle.

“I have said it here that William will not run on UDA, and I said it may be two years ago; they will craft another outfit. You cannot run under UDA in Mt Kenya,” Kioni said.

Kioni has further argued that political realities in major voting blocs, especially the Mount Kenya region, could compel a significant change in how the ruling side places itself in 2027.

Mount Kenya politics at the centre

The former lawmaker has further argued that UDA has limited political strength in the region, which it may have to rely on to keep a wide base of acceptance in the region before 2027.

This was because, according to him, you could not run on UDA in Mount Kenya, meaning that the region was crucial in determining future political affiliations.

Kioni also singled out the National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, as one of the few who he believes could still effectively run under the UDA banner should the party still continue to exist in its current form.

He added that Kimani Ichung’wa will be reelected on UDA should it exist in the mountain; any other person must not dare to run under UDA in the mountain.

“Only Kimani Ichung’wa will use UDA. Kimani Ichung’wa will be reelected on UDA if it is in existence; any other person should not dare to run under UDA in the mountain,” Kioni added.

The statement from Kioni is an indication that there is a shrinking political space of the party in its traditional strongholds, despite the fact that the party is the ruling party.

Early battle lines for 2027

The remarks that Kioni has to say contribute to the ever-growing political discussion concerning succession politics and the future of alliances in the run-up to 2027.

Although the government side has not officially stated any intentions to rebrand or to ditch UDA, the party has been seen to make allies with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and aims to enter into coalition talks, which further speculates about possible changes within the ruling coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.