Jubilee Party vice-chairman David Murathe has made a headline‑grabbing declaration, setting a clear condition for his party’s backing of ODM leader Raila Odinga in the 2027 presidential race. According to Murathe, Odinga must sever all ties with President William Ruto before Jubilee will consider aligning behind him, marking a significant escalation in political posturing between the two camps.
Murathe, a close ally of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and a senior figure within Jubilee, emphasized that aligning too closely with Ruto would disqualify Odinga from Jubilee’s support. His statement comes amid growing speculation that Uhuru’s faction within Jubilee could offer conditional backing to Odinga as they seek to reassert influence in Kenya’s political terrain.
This move signals further fragmentation within Jubilee, a party long torn between those who remain loyal to the legacy of Uhuru Kenyatta and those who have shifted allegiance to President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Since Ruto’s 2022 victory under the UDA banner, Jubilee has struggled to define its identity and direction, with internal rifts still unresolved.
Political analysts note that Jubilee’s posture reflects deep-seated tensions beneath the surface. Murathe is seen as projecting the interests of the Kenyatta faction, which continues to wield influence within Jubilee despite its diminished national strength. He previously delivered pointed critiques of Ruto and his allies, reinforcing a narrative of betrayal and ideological divergence within the former ruling party.
The stakes are particularly high given Jubilee’s ambition to stage a political comeback after its poor showing in the 2022 general election, where it lost more than 80% of elective seats. Re-aligning with ODM and distancing from Ruto could present a path to recovery—providing a united front that appeals to older constituencies loyal to Uhuru and Raila alike.
However, Dr. Phillip Chebunet and other commentators caution that political calculations are risky. Should Ruto—or his party—retain structural dominance, aligning with ODM might marginalize Jubilee and further erode its footing. Analysts argue the fraught nature of the alliance dynamics could complicate rather than clarify the path to 2027.
As Raila Odinga contemplates the offer, Jubilee remains firm: to receive its endorsement, he must first cut ties with William Ruto. This ultimatum underscores the intricate and increasingly adversarial alliances shaping Kenya’s political future.
