By Anderson Ojwang
Kenyans could soon witness a return match between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his successor, President William Ruto, in the 2027 presidential election.
Smarting from the loss in the 2022 presidential contest, where Uhuru’s candidate and leader of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, Raila Odinga, suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Ruto, Uhuru is back to the drawing board.
Now, through his Jubilee Party, Uhuru has returned to the political ring with a new candidate—his protégé, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Okengo Matiang’i—as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 contest.
After two years of maintaining a low political profile and insisting that Raila Odinga was his leader, a tough-talking Uhuru is back. This time, he is organising and reorganising his Jubilee Party to face off against his former ally turned political foe.
Despite Ruto extending an olive branch to Uhuru after he visited him at his Ichaweri home in Gatundu North, and despite the subsequent appointment of Uhuru’s allies into the government, Uhuru is not budging as he sets his sights on the presidency.
Following the visit, President Ruto spoke of a possible handshake with his former boss, but given the emerging political dynamics, such a reconciliation could be stillborn.
Speaking during a Jubilee delegates’ conference, Uhuru said he had initially considered retiring from politics to focus on his private life, but the prevailing political climate had forced him to change his mind.
“I wanted to step away from politics and engage in other business. I had thought that the next National Delegates Conference for the party would be my last.
I planned to tell you, my great people, that I had done what was expected of me and that it was time to elect a new party leadership.
However, some individuals decided to resort to threats, intimidation, and the misuse of power to take over our party by force.
Today, I am telling them—try someone else, but not Uhuru, son of Kenyatta. When you entrusted us with leadership, including the party, we had a manifesto, and we did our best to implement it.
We played our part and handed over power peacefully. We did so in broad daylight. Even when they insulted me in public, I remained silent because it was their right.
But despite my silence, all I received were insults, humiliation, the theft of livestock, and the burning of farms. They thought this would intimidate me. I tell them—carry on!
But this party does not belong to Uhuru alone; it has its rightful owners. They asked me to safeguard it, and until they choose a new leader, I will remain at the helm.
Kenya is a democratic country. Jubilee formed alliances with other parties, and the dream is not dead. If it is to die, only you—the people—can decide that.
Some of those who received appointments under Jubilee are now trying to dictate how the party should be run. Let them leave. We will find people to do the work. Leave us in peace and return the positions we gave you.
Look at our symbol—the dove. We love peace, but we are not cowards.
“Kenyans made their decision in 2022, but we still want to see our agenda fulfilled.
Let today mark a renewal. Let us return to the villages and revive our Jubilee Party. Those of us in Nairobi will support you in whatever way necessary. Do not fear speaking the truth. We are not cowards.
Those who think God is asleep—let me tell you, God does not sleep. One day, they will see for themselves.
Those who no longer align with Jubilee’s vision should do us the honour of leaving the party and allow us to pursue our path.
You claim our party is dead—so why are you interested in a dead body? If it is truly dead, why are you still trying to take it over? The truth is, Jubilee is very much alive, and you will see it.
Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni confirmed that the party had settled on Matiang’i as its presidential candidate.
Matiang’i is our flag bearer. He worked with President Uhuru for ten years. We in the Jubilee Party have chosen him as our candidate for 2027, and now we must register in preparation for the bigger battle.
We support him because he performed well in the education, ICT, and security ministries. When Uhuru was in his second term, his deputy abandoned his responsibilities to campaign. It was Matiang’i who took over. He understands the vision, and he has the energy to reignite our coalition. That is why we want Wamunyoro to come in,” Kioni said.
In the ongoing battle for control of the party, the Court of Appeal last year rejected a request by a group of Jubilee Party officials seeking to challenge the leadership of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In a ruling delivered on 19 November 2024, Justices Jamila Mohammed, Mumbi Ngugi, and F. Ochieng refused to grant interim stay orders sought by Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega, and the party’s Disciplinary Committee.
The faction had sought the orders to overturn a ruling by the Nairobi High Court in September, which upheld Kenyatta’s leadership of the party.
“In the circumstances of this application, we decline to grant interim orders of stay pending the delivery of the ruling on 7 March 2025,” the judges said.
The High Court, under Justice Mulwa, had annulled decisions made by the Kega-led group, citing procedural errors.
Justice Mulwa ruled that a notice issued in February 2023 by the faction was improperly executed, meaning any resolutions passed thereafter—including the suspension of senior officials such as Jeremiah Kioni, David Murathe, and Kagwe Gichohi—were invalid.
“The majority decision by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal is an erroneous finding issued by the commissioners and must be set aside. I find the decision of the PPDT illegal and annul it,” Justice Mulwa ruled.
“Having determined that every process undertaken in furtherance of an unprocedural meeting was invalid, any decision resulting from that meeting is therefore declared null and void,” Mulwa added.
