Former Jubilee Secretary-General Raphael Tuju has dismissed speculation that he may be eyeing the Siaya governorship in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, August 25, Tuju said his current commitments in Nairobi and responsibilities to his employees and family make him hesitant to pursue such a political move.
"I'm not inclined in any way to become a governor of Siaya County because I'm Nairobi-based at the moment, and before I make those kind of decisions, I've got several people working in my private companies, more than 100 people, and if I make any decision which is going to negatively impact on 100 families or more than 100 families, I have to be very careful about that. That's personal, but also to get the concurrence of my family," he stated.
Tuju also clarified his decision to step down from his role as Jubilee Secretary-General, saying it was a personal choice meant to give him the freedom to express his views without political constraints.
"I have left the Jubilee Party for personal reasons. No hard feelings. I did leave Jubilee so that I am free to make my personal opinions without bearing or being asked whose behalf I am speaking on. Now I can talk on behalf of myself. Essentially, it is stepping on a free space like I am doing here," he explained.
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In a letter to former President Uhuru Kenyatta dated Tuesday, August 19, Tuju said he does not see any value he is adding to the party.
He, however, said he is open to working with the former head of state in the future.
"I still look forward to working with you in the future. However, at the present time, I see no more value that I can add to the Jubilee Party. I therefore tender my resignation. Please accept my best wishes for your well-being and for the Party," he said.
Tuju thanked Uhuru for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Jubilee Party Secretary General for six years from 2016 to 2022.
He noted that Uhuru took a bold step to entrust him with the position, given that he was from the Luo community while the party was largely anchored in the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities.
"It was an exceptionally bold political step on your part to have entrusted this sensitive position to me as a person coming from the Luo tribe, while the anchor of the party was essentially the Kikuyu and Kalenjin tribes," he stated.
Tuju, who served in Uhuru's government as a Cabinet Secretary without a portfolio, also praised Uhuru for his move to have a handshake with ODM leader Raila Odinga in 2018.
He noted that even President William Ruto made a similar move after the Gen Z protests of 2024 to prevent instability in the country.
"In the ever-evolving ironies of Kenyan politics, after the Gen-Z riots of 2024, President Ruto, now bearing the full responsibility of the weight of carrying the state, had to make compromises and do exactly what you had done in 2018: A handshake with Raila Odinga,” he added.
