In a political climate defined by shifting alliances and strategic realignments, the resignation of former Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju is a significant event. His departure on Tuesday, August 19, marks a crucial setback for former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been actively working to revitalize his political outfit ahead of the 2027 General Election. Tuju’s resignation is more than a formality; it is a profound commentary on the internal dynamics, past betrayals, and uncertain future of a party that once held a dominant position in Kenyan politics.
In his resignation letter, Tuju offered a candid and deeply personal reflection on his time with the party. He thanked Uhuru for the "exceptionally bold political step" of entrusting a Luo with a sensitive position within a party whose core support came from the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities. This acknowledgment highlights a core tenet of Tuju's political dream: to move beyond ethnic mobilization and build a truly national party. He lamented that this bold attempt to confront the politics of "Us against Them" was a dream shared with the former president, suggesting a higher, more idealistic motivation behind his work.
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The letter also provides a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most significant moments in Kenya's recent political history: the 2018 handshake between Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga. Tuju recalled how this pivotal moment, intended to bring stability and "build bridges," inadvertently "precipitated hostility between the Kalenjin wing and the Kikuyu wing" of the Jubilee Party. This is a powerful, first-hand account of the internal rifts that began to form and eventually led to the party's fragmentation.
While Tuju expressed a desire to work with Uhuru in the future, his resignation is a clear admission that he no longer sees his role as valuable within the current structure of the Jubilee Party. His words—"at the present time, I see no more value that I can add to the Jubilee Party"—are a damning indictment of the party's current state and its lack of a clear path forward. It suggests that despite Uhuru's efforts, the party remains a political outfit in disarray, struggling to redefine its purpose and relevance.
