Uhuru chairs Jubilee NEC meeting as political realignments continue in earnest
Officials say party remains steadfast in its role in its role within the Opposition, committed to championing the interests of the people and upholding democratic principles
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday virtually chaired a meeting of Jubilee Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, a significant development as political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election continue in earnest.
Though details of the discussions during the rare meeting are not yet available, influential social media commentator Pauline Njoroge, who is the Jubilee Deputy National Organising Secretary, posted on X that the party remains steadfast in its role in its role within the Opposition, committed to championing the interests of the people and upholding democratic principles.
“This crucial meeting marks a significant step in reaffirming the Jubilee Party’s ideals, strategic direction, and internal unity. At a time of dynamic political realignments, the Party remains steadfast in its role within the opposition, committed to championing the interests of the people and upholding democratic principles,” she said.
Uhuru, who is the Jubilee Party Leader, has largely kept off active politics since he handed over power to President William Ruto after his preferred successor, Raila Odinga, was defeated in the 2022 State House contest.
However, he has occasionally commented on political developments in the country, including after last year’s Gen Z revolt against punitive tax proposals in the Finance Bill 2024, poor governance, high cost of living and unemployment, when he expressed pride in their decision to rise to the occasion.
“Our young people have stepped forward to engage in the affairs of their country. They have come forward, tribeless and peaceful,” he said.
Raila, who later struck a deal with Ruto to form a broad-based government to save his administration from collapse, claims it is Uhuru who reached out to him to dialogue with the President though senior Jubilee leaders such as Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni dispute the position.
Tuesday’s meeting came days after Ruto conducted him on a tour of State House, where major renovations are ongoing, after a joint East African Community (EAC)-South African Development Community (SADC) Summit with the Panel of Facilitators on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Peace Process, sparking speculation they may strike a deal ahead of his re-election bid.
On December 9 last year, Ruto also flew to Uhuru’s rural home in Ichaweri, Gatundu South, for talks with the President’s strategists portraying it as a closing of ranks after their bitter fallout after the 2008 Handshake that brought Raila to the inner sanctums of power than marked his exclusion.
However, Uhuru was to later jolt the establishment when he called on Gen Z not to fear and fight for their rights.
“Fight for your rights, Gen Zs you are the story of the future. Do not accept to relax and allow people to take your wealth. Ensure you get what is rightfully yours. There is nothing that lasts forever. Everything is worth the fight and if you don’t fight for it and it is taken do not cry,” Uhuru said during the burial of his cousin, veteran Safari Rally driver Kibathi Muigai in Gatundu South
He was to repeat a similar message during a keynote address at the second annual Guild Leaders’ Summit 2025 at Makerere University in Kampala in April when he called for a youth-led revolution in Africa.
“No one is coming to save us,” he said. “You have the numbers, time and energy. Stay involved in governance discussions until you achieve the changes you wish to see,” he said.
The two instances saw Ruto’s allies accuse him of encouraging the youth to destablise the government.
In the current political dynamics, Jubilee is part of the so-called United Opposition that brings together Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, Justin Muturi, Dr Fred Matiang’i, Mithika Linturi, Torome Saitoti and George Natembeya, which is strategising to field a single candidate to face Ruto with the aim of making him a one-term president.
Kioni has variously stated that the party will back Dr Matiang’i, a powerful Interior Cabinet Secretary under Uhuru, for the presidency.
