Murathe: We’ll back Raila in ’27 if he ditches Ruto

By Newsflash Writer

Jubilee Party Vice Chairman David Murathe has declared that the party is ready to back Raila Odinga for the presidency in 2027 on condition that he walks away from his political alignment with President William Ruto.

Speaking after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting chaired by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday, August 5, Murathe said Jubilee still views Raila as the leader of the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition and is waiting for him to chart the way forward.

Murathe suggested that cracks within Raila’s ODM party, particularly the discontent voiced by Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, signal an inevitable split from Ruto’s camp.

“We’re with Tinga (Raila) until we feel otherwise,” Murathe said. “But if he doesn’t break from Ruto, that will be a different story. We can even form a new coalition to remove Ruto in 2027.”

ODM division widens as Jubilee eyes comeback

Jubilee’s NEC meeting focused on reviving the party and regaining relevance ahead of 2027. Murathe denied any decision to field former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i for president, saying the party’s priority remains rebuilding and aligning with like-minded forces.

He emphasized that Sifuna’s repeated public criticism of Ruto’s administration would not happen without Raila’s implicit approval. “Raila is a master strategist. Even his body language shows he’s distancing himself,” Murathe said. “We believe many ODM leaders are uncomfortable with the current arrangement.”

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, on August 1, 2025. /PCS

Raila has stated that ODM will stick with the broad-based government until 2027 to support national stability, not political loyalty. “We never said we’re with UDA beyond 2027,” he said recently, adding that future decisions would rest with party members.

However, Sifuna continues to push back. “I will not support any move by ODM to endorse Ruto. I stand by my criticism of the government,” he insisted. He added that Raila is still the party’s best shot for 2027 and should focus on the base that supported him in 2022.

Behind the scenes, Jubilee is working on repairing its grassroots networks and regaining the trust of its base, particularly in Mt Kenya and parts of Nairobi, where it previously enjoyed considerable support. According to insiders, Uhuru’s allies see 2027 as a do-or-die moment to reassert their political relevance, and reuniting with Odinga under a new coalition could be a viable path.

Political analysts believe Jubilee’s latest overtures signal a shift from being a passive observer to becoming an active broker in opposition politics. “If Raila accepts the condition, we could see a reawakening of the Azimio coalition or something even broader,” said a source familiar with the party’s internal deliberations.

Murathe hinted that should Odinga choose to stay in alliance with Ruto, Jubilee would consider alternative political arrangements, potentially bringing in new faces or rallying behind another opposition candidate capable of uniting anti-Ruto forces.

Uhuru-Ruto meeting raises eyebrows

Adding intrigue to the unfolding political realignments was a surprise meeting between President Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, at State House. The photo-op was accompanied by a caption calling Kenyatta “my good friend,” fuelling talk of reconciliation.

But former ODM chair and current Treasury CS John Mbadi dismissed the encounter as inconsequential. “Uhuru’s time is over. Neither Ruto nor Raila should listen to him,” Mbadi said, accusing Kenyatta of misleading the opposition in 2022.

Within ODM, factions are hardening. One side, reportedly warming up to Ruto, includes Junet Mohamed, Governor Gladys Wanga, and ODM youth and women league leaders. Sifuna is backed by deputy party leaders Godfrey Osotsi, Abdullswamad Nassir, and Treasurer Timothy Bosire—who want the party to walk away from Kenya Kwanza and prepare for 2027 under Raila.

With Jubilee’s conditional olive branch on the table, and ODM deeply divided over its future direction, Raila Odinga faces growing pressure to make a decisive move—either recommit to opposition unity or risk fragmentation that could weaken his bid to succeed Ruto