Former Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju has formally resigned from the party, bringing an end to a significant chapter in his political career. In a letter addressed to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who remains Jubilee’s party leader, Tuju said he no longer sees how he can add value to the outfit but remains open to working with Kenyatta in the future.
“I still look forward to working with you in future. However, at the present time, I see no more value that I can add to the Jubilee Party. I therefore tender my resignation,” Tuju stated, while extending best wishes to the party and its leadership.
Tuju, who has been out of the country for the past six weeks, noted that he has not been fully aware of the recent developments in the party. Nonetheless, he expressed gratitude to Kenyatta for the opportunity to serve as secretary general between 2016 and 2022.
Reflecting on his appointment, Tuju described it as a bold political decision, given that he hailed from the Luo community while Jubilee’s foundation rested largely on Kikuyu and Kalenjin support bases. He said the intention had been to build a national party transcending ethnic lines.
Tuju recalled how both he and Kenyatta had previously faced rejection for not being seen as loyal to their ethnic bases, adding that such divisions remained an obstacle to Kenya’s political progress.
He also revisited the 2018 “handshake” between Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga, noting it caused divisions within Jubilee and strained his relationship with William Ruto, now President. Despite this, Tuju praised Kenyatta’s move as a courageous step that prevented instability. He further drew parallels to Ruto’s own compromise after the 2024 Gen Z protests.
“I remained loyal to you as President, Party Leader, and cabinet member,” Tuju emphasized, reaffirming his belief that Kenyans can unite to tackle unemployment and poverty rather than remain trapped in tribal politics.
Before leaving his Jubilee role, Tuju had been appointed Executive Director of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance, where Odinga served as leader and Kenyatta as chairperson.
His resignation marks yet another shift in the evolving dynamics of Kenya’s political landscape.
