Why Uhuru's 2027 Game Plan Is Under Pressure

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as the Jubilee Party’s preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election, renewing debate over the opposition’s strategy ahead of the vote.

The endorsement marks Uhuru’s latest effort to rebuild Jubilee after the party’s poor performance in the 2022 General Election. It also follows his unsuccessful backing of Raila Odinga’s presidential bid four years ago. While the move gives Jubilee a clear candidate, political analysts say it raises questions about whether the opposition should settle on a nominee before strengthening its broader coalition.

Political commentator Caleb Burudi said Jubilee risks repeating the mistakes of 2022 by backing Matiang’i without first building wider consensus across the opposition. He acknowledged Matiang’i’s record in public service but argued that a successful presidential campaign requires strong grassroots support and broad political alliances that extend beyond a candidate’s regional base. 

Burudi said the opposition should focus first on uniting different political groups before choosing a presidential flag bearer. His remarks reflect lessons from the 2022 election, when Uhuru strongly supported Raila Odinga under the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition. 

Raila lost to William Ruto, who won 50.49 per cent of the vote against Raila’s 48.85 per cent. The Supreme Court later upheld Ruto’s victory, bringing the election dispute to a close and leaving Uhuru to rebuild Jubilee. Jubilee’s efforts have become more difficult as political support shifts in Kisii Nyanza, a region seen as Matiang’i’s main base. 

Several leaders have aligned themselves with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement, including Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo. Former Jubilee official Pauline Njoroge has also joined Sifuna’s camp, adding to the party’s challenges.

The party’s recent electoral performance has also highlighted its declining influence. In the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, Jubilee candidate Wilson Kigwa received 198 votes, compared with 35,440 for DCP candidate Sammy Kamau and 5,450 for UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah. 

Following the result, Eldas MP Adan Keynan described the outcome as a turning point, saying Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had become the political leader of the Mt Kenya region after DCP’s victory.