Jubilee Party Vice Chair David Murathe addressing participants during the 62nd birthday party of former President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi on October 26, 2023.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party has shaken the political landscape after suggesting a conditional 2027 endorsement of ODM leader Raila Odinga.
The move has reignited tensions in the opposition and unsettled leaders in the broad-based government where Mr Odinga plays a big role.
Jubilee Party Vice-Chairman David Murathe, an ally of Mr Kenyatta, said the outfit may back Mr Odinga’s presidential bid in 2027 but only if he severs ties with President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Shortly after Mr Kenyatta chaired a Jubilee National Executive Council meeting in Nairobi on Tuesday – the first since the conclusion of court battles over party leadership – Mr Murathe said Jubilee still recognises Mr Odinga as the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader.
He hinted at the party awaiting Mr Odinga’s next move before charting its course for 2027.
However, the statement contradicts that of Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, who insists the former ruling party supports ex-Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for the presidency.
“We still recognise Raila as the Azimio leader. We will agree on how to proceed as a coalition,” Mr Murathe told the Daily Nation, adding that a new alliance could be formed “to make Ruto a one-term president”.
Mr Murathe described Mr Odinga as a political genius “who has kept everyone guessing”, adding that his ambiguous position in the broad-based government has left room for political realignments.
United opposition
Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP–K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, a principal in the United Opposition led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party chief Kalonzo Musyoka, said Mr Odinga must first apologise to Kenyans for “betraying” them by working with President Ruto.
DAP-K Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa.
He added that even if Mr Odinga abandons Dr Ruto, he should not expect a direct presidential ticket.
“He should first make amends with Kenyans and apologise for the betrayal. He also needs to know that once he has done that, we in the opposition have not picked a candidate. He must be prepared to join the queue because there are five presidential hopefuls in the opposition,” Mr Wamalwa said.
“There is Wamalwa, Matiang’i, Musyoka, Martha Karua and Gachagua. If Raila comes, he joins the queue,” Mr Wamalwa said.
He criticised Mr Odinga’s March pact with President Ruto, saying the deal was a betrayal of Azimio and the Gen Z protesters.
“Kenyans have decided that the Ruto presidency will be one-term,” Mr Wamalwa said.
“The sooner Raila smells the coffee and exits this unholy alliance, the better.”
Struck a deal
He said Mr Odinga struck the deal without consulting Azimio principals and labelled the current administration a “blood-based government”.
“March is remembered for betrayal. That is when (Julius) Caesar was killed. Raila’s handshake with Ruto was our ‘Ides of March’ moment,” Mr Wamalwa said.
Mr Odinga’s silence and continued working with President Ruto have sparked unease in the Orange Democratic Movement, too.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has criticised the broad-based arrangement, though other officials remain guarded.
Orange Democratic Movement Party's Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna in Saboti Constituency, Trans Nzoia County on August 3, 2025.
On Wednesday, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi said Mr Odinga should not be dictated to by Jubilee or any other entity.
“ODM welcomes the support for our party leader, but it shouldn’t be conditional,” the Vihiga senator said.
“Raila has sacrificed so much for Kenya, and it is only fair that he is not given conditions.”
The senator said ODM is preparing for 2027 and would get into alliances “at the appropriate time”.
Meanwhile, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary-General Cleophas Malala said Mr Odinga remains aligned with President Ruto and is therefore among the individuals the opposition wants to “send home in 2027”.
“When he leaves, we will consider him part of the opposition. Until then, he’s one of those we are campaigning to retire,” Mr Malala said.
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita dismissed the offer by Jubilee, saying the party failed to deliver in 2022 “and is now politically impotent".
“Uhuru Kenyatta and Jubilee did not to deliver the presidency to Raila when they had the instruments of power. To imagine they can do it now is outrageous,” Mr Nyamita said.
His Gem and Alego Usonga colleagues Elisha Odhiambo and Sam Atandi, respectively, echoed the sentiments, calling Jubilee’s endorsement a “pipe dream”.
“Uhuru is lame-duck. What can he do now?” Mr Odhiambo asked.
Mr Atandi said Jubilee needs to be wound up “because it can’t even win a Ward Representative seat.
“Uhuru knows this, and that is why he chairs Jubilee meetings online,” he said.
Nyando MP Jared Okello said Mr Kenyatta no longer has the political muscle to influence national outcomes.
“He had the knife and carrot in 2022. He supported Raila but his people were dancing with Ruto. He has no sword and no following,” Mr Okello told the Daily Nation.
Contacted, Treasury CS John Mbadi declined to be drawn into the debate.
“A politician would be best placed to respond. Kindly ask the Minority Leader in Parliament or a party official,” he said.
Over the weekend, Mr Mbadi criticised Mr Kenyatta, saying he failed to secure victory for Mr Odinga in 2022.
“He lied to us that he would deliver the presidency. He, instead, handed it to Dr Ruto,” he said.
Losing bids
Mr Mbadi urged Nyanza to support the government and not be drawn into “losing bids” led by Mt Kenya politicians.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said Jubilee remains split, with factions backing President Ruto and Mr Kenyatta. He urged “outsiders” to allow the party to resolve its disputes.
Wiper Party Vice-Chairman Mutula Kilonzo Jr said: "The statement by Murathe is meaningless. Jubilee had sway as a ruling party.”
Amid these growing tensions and confusion, pressure is mounting on Mr Odinga to clarify his 2027 intentions.
The recent engagements with President Ruto – and his silence on national issues – have deepened uncertainty.
In a recent interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Odinga ruled out an early parting of ways with the Kenya Kwanza regime.
“We are in the broad-based government until 2027. We never said we’re working with the United Democratic Movement beyond that. We will discuss these issues at the right time – not Raila alone but as a party,” he said.
Mr Odinga also revisited his earlier working relationship with President Kenyatta, adding that there was no personal gain from their March 9, 2018 handshake.
“I didn’t get anyone appointed to the government. What did I get? Nothing. That was not a transactional arrangement,” he said.
He added that Mr Kenyatta’s only role was public political support in the 2022 elections.
“Uhuru said he would support me, and he did. How did I compromise with him?,” Mr Odinga asked.
He said the 2018 handshake was about national reforms through the Building Bridges Initiative, which was eventually blocked by the courts.
