TWV Reporter
Fresh political manoeuvres are reshaping Kenya’s 2027 election landscape, with reports emerging that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is quietly distancing himself from former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and warming up to the possibility of backing Raila Odinga for the presidency for a second time. According to Jubilee Party Vice Chairman David Murathe, the party would be ready to endorse Raila’s 2027 bid, provided he severs political ties with President William Ruto. Murathe is widely viewed as a trusted ally and messenger of Uhuru, fuelling speculation that the offer reflects the former president’s position.
Political sources reveal that Uhuru initially sought to position Matiang’i as Jubilee’s 2027 presidential candidate on condition that he cut links with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. However, Matiang’i has continued to appear alongside Gachagua at rallies and political engagements, a move that Uhuru’s allies have taken as a sign he is not committed to Jubilee’s political direction.
“Matiang’i seems more comfortable working within the united opposition rather than pursuing a solo presidential bid under the Jubilee Party,” a political insider told The Weekly Vision. This perceived defiance has reportedly prompted Uhuru and the Jubilee hierarchy to look elsewhere, most notably at Raila Odinga, who still commands a loyal national following despite his 2022 loss to President Ruto.
Some political analysts believe Uhuru’s apparent overtures to Raila are part of a genuine effort to rebuild the Azimio alliance and mount a credible challenge to Ruto in 2027. Others, however, suspect a tactical ploy: lure Raila away from Ruto politically, only for Jubilee to later abandon him in favour of forming a new alliance with Ruto. The uncertainty over Uhuru’s true intentions has left political observers cautious about predicting the shape of the 2027 contest.
Central to the intrigue is whether Uhuru still possesses the political influence to deliver Mount Kenya’s vote to Raila. Many recall that despite holding the presidency in 2022, Uhuru was unable to rally the region behind Raila, with most voters backing Ruto.
If Raila accepts Uhuru’s backing, the Mount Kenya vote risks being split among at least three contenders, Raila, Gachagua, and possibly Kalonzo Musyoka, greatly complicating Raila’s chances. Should Gachagua enter the race, he is expected to capture the bulk of the region’s vote, leaving the rest to be divided among his rivals.
Analysts argue that for Uhuru’s endorsement of Raila to carry weight, he would first need to broker peace with Gachagua and forge a united Mount Kenya front. Without such unity, they say, any promise of regional support for Raila will be politically hollow.
For now, the situation remains fluid. Uhuru appears to be recalibrating his political alliances, Matiang’i’s star within Jubilee is fading, and Raila’s name is back in the mix for a second Uhuru-backed run.
Whether this leads to a genuine coalition or yet another round of high-stakes political chess will become clear only as the 2027 race takes shape.
