Jubilee Party Vice Chair David Murathe addressing participants during the 62nd birthday party of former President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi on October 26, 2023.
A close ally of former President Uhuru Kenyatta has hinted at Jubilee Party backing veteran politician Raila Odinga should he break ranks with President William Ruto and run for office in 2027.
Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe made the remarks on Tuesday after Mr Kenyatta chaired the party’s National Executive Council meeting.
Plans to rejuvenate Jubilee were announced, as the party seeks to regain a central role in national politics.
Mr Murathe told the Daily Nation that Jubilee still recognises Mr Odinga as the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition leader, after supporting him in the 2022 polls. He said they are waiting for him to give direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Citing key Orange Democratic Movement officials’ discontent with the Kenya Kwanza political arrangement — led by ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna — Mr Murathe said Mr Odinga is likely to abandon President Ruto before the next polls.
Former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga during an interview at his home in Karen, Nairobi on July 19, 2025.
“We still recognise Raila as the Azimio party leader. As a coalition, we will agree on how to proceed. But I can tell you that we are with Tinga (Raila) until we feel otherwise. Raila is the party leader and Uhuru is the chairman,” said Mr Murathe.
“People can also sit and say, ‘let’s form a new coalition’ by bringing in more members to achieve our goal of making Ruto a one-term President,” he added.
Political genius
Describing Mr Odinga as a political genius, Mr Murathe praised his ability to keep the country guessing about his next move.
“Tinga has been sending mixed signals. Even his body language tells a lot about his position on this broad-based arrangement. There is no way Sifuna can continue speaking the way he does without the blessings of the party leader. I’m told the three deputy party leaders are also on that side. Mr Odinga is the master of the game, and he has kept everybody guessing,” he said.
On speculation that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i could run for President on a Jubilee ticket, Mr Murathe said no such decision had been made. He also said Dr Matiang’i has not declared his intentions yet.
“His Excellency President (retired) Uhuru Kenyatta, party leader of the Jubilee Party, chaired a meeting of the National Executive Committee at the party headquarters in Nairobi. This was the first NEC meeting convened following the conclusion of court cases involving the party. Key issues affecting the party were deliberated. There will be a comprehensive review of party affairs and strategic plans for reinvigorating the party's structures and operations across the nation.”
Mr Odinga recently ruled out an early exit from the broad-based government—an arrangement that aligns ODM with President Ruto’s administration. The ODM leader declared that he would support the partnership at least until the 2027 General Election.
Having contested the presidency five times, Mr Odinga said the country was still navigating a national crisis. In a previous interview with the Daily Nation, he stated that ODM’s cooperation with the government was purely for the sake of national stability.
“We have said that we are in the broad-based government until 2027. We did not say we are going to work with UDA beyond 2027. Those are issues we will discuss at the appropriate time, and the decision will be made by party members, not Raila Odinga alone,” he said.
Despite his remarks, some of his close allies have vowed to leave ODM if he supports President Ruto’s re-election bid.
“I stand by my views against the government. I want to remind those in ODM who are questioning me that I have the right to speak my mind. I will not support ODM’s resolution to endorse William Ruto in 2027,” Mr Sifuna said on Sunday.
The Nairobi senator has consistently pushed for ODM to sever ties with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), arguing that maintaining the alliance until 2027 will leave ODM ill-prepared for the next elections.
“I don’t know why people forget that Raila is still there, and I will support him in 2027. We will win that election. All we need are the votes we got in 2022,” Mr Sifuna said during a recent interview.
At the same time, the meeting between President Ruto and his predecessor, Mr Kenyatta, at State House in Nairobi sparked speculation of a possible rapprochement between the two.
Sharing photos of the visit, President Ruto referred to Mr Kenyatta as “my good friend.” While some of Dr Ruto’s allies said the visit was a sign of renewed friendship, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi—the immediate former ODM chairman—was dismissive.
President William Ruto (right) and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, on August 1, 2025.
“The former president should know his time is over. Neither President Ruto nor Raila Odinga should be listening to him,” Mr Mbadi said in Homa Bay on Friday evening.
He accused Mr Kenyatta of misleading the opposition and abandoning Mr Odinga during the 2022 presidential race.
“He lied to us that he would give us the presidency when he had the instruments of power. Instead, he handed it to President Ruto right before our eyes,” said Mr Mbadi.
He repeated similar sentiments on Saturday at Osakwe SDA Church in Karachuonyo expressing his deep disappointment with the former president.
“Anytime we asked for positions after the 2018 Handshake, we were told to wait for a full government come 2022. When that time came, he handed the State House keys to Ruto. I locked myself in the house for a week. Now he says he can take the key back and give it to us? Is this an ally we can trust?” Mbadi posed.
Two factions have emerged in ODM. One is reportedly led by National Assembly Leader of Minority Junet Mohamed, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Youth League President John Ketora, and Women League President Beth Syengo. The group is said to back Dr Ruto’s 2027 bid.
Mr Sifuna is said to be backed in the opposing camp by deputy ODM leaders Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga senator), Abdullswamad Nassir (Mombasa governor) and National Treasurer Timothy Bosire.
