Why Tuju’s Exit Marks Another Blow to Struggling Jubilee Party

By: Bryan Wachira

Former Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju has formally resigned from his position as a member of the Party .

His resignation comes after speculations are rife that he might be heading to the ODM Party where its secretary general Edwin Sifuna is facing a lot of opposition due to his stance of broad-based government.

Tuju, who has been a central figure in Jubilee’s operations since its inception in 2016, submitted his resignation to the party leadership this week.

In a statement, he thanked party members for their support and said it was time to step aside and allow new leadership to chart the party’s future.

“I have done my part to the best of my ability. The time has come for me to create space for others who can bring in fresh ideas and new energy to the party,” Tuju said.

His resignation comes at a turbulent time for Jubilee.

Once the ruling party with a commanding majority in Parliament, Jubilee has in recent years struggled with internal divisions and defections.

The split between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his then-deputy, William Ruto, further weakened the party, with many members decamping to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Tuju was often on the frontline defending Jubilee’s policies and managing disputes within the party. He played a key role in President Kenyatta’s second-term agenda and was a strong supporter of the 2018 “handshake” between Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Political analysts view his exit as both a symbolic and practical blow to Jubilee. “Tuju’s resignation underscores the decline of Jubilee as a political powerhouse.

He was the face of the party’s secretariat, and his departure leaves a vacuum,” said Dr. Peter Mwangi, a political commentator based in Nairobi.