Uhuru Kenyatta stands at a decisive crossroad, not just for himself, but for the Jubilee Party and the future of Kenya’s political landscape.
What he holds today is not merely the chairmanship of a party; it is the mantle of shaping an institution that can outlive him, and outlive election cycles, to become a movement that future generations can call home.
The victory he and his Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni secured against a state-backed takeover, armed with the full machinery of the state was no ordinary win. It told us one thing: Jubilee is not a hollow shell. It has a soul, it has resilience, and even when voters drifted elsewhere, they never fully abandoned it.
Now, a significant portion of Gen Z and, more importantly, a broad intergenerational mix of Kenyans trust Uhuru more than any other political figure.
That trust is rare currency in politics. If invested wisely, it can cement Jubilee as more than just another fleeting electoral vehicle, but as a true institution like CCM in Tanzania, ANC in South Africa, or the Democrats in the US.
But here is the moment of truth: the upcoming National Delegates Convention (NDC). It is not just another meeting, it will be the rebirth of Jubilee, or its burial ground.
If the party misses this chance to focus on ideology and renewal, rather than on positions and personalities, it risks reaching a point of no return.
Already, voices are calling for Dr. Fred Matiang’i to be given the party leadership.
They are both right and wrong. Right, because Matiang’i represents strength, credibility, and a vision that unsettles both government and opposition.
Wrong, because leadership does not mean clearing the table and sending others packing. Uhuru’s role remains central, and Matiang’i’s integration into the leadership can be done without erasing those who have fought in the trenches.
Consider Jeremiah Kioni.
There are those who argue it is time to replace him as Secretary General.
Yet, this is the man who weathered the storm, defended the party’s legitimacy, and kept Jubilee alive in public consciousness. Transitions do not reward loyalty with abandonment.
And what of David Murathe? Often dismissed, but equally underestimated.
From the party’s inception, he has had a third eye for strategy and impact. His role may not be flashy, but it has been consequential. A new breed will surely bring vibrancy, but only those who have been in the trenches can provide the compass to guide Jubilee into its next phase.
Crucially, Jubilee has become a political force that even opposition parties now view as a threat. Its strong positions on national issues and consistent presence on the political stage have unsettled rivals.
The newly formed DCP knows it cannot match Jubilee’s power or history. For context, Jubilee governed Kenya for a decade, leaving behind a national footprint. While many parties slide into oblivion after losing power, Jubilee has remained consistent, vibrant, and relevant.
Compare that to Wiper or DAP-K, both largely regional outfits.
Wiper’s strength lies in Eastern Kenya, DAP-K in Western Kenya. Jubilee, on the other hand, is national; its roots, networks, and history stretch across the country. That alone makes it a formidable player, not just in opposition, but in Kenya’s broader democratic trajectory.
Uhuru should therefore resist the temptation to hand over Jubilee prematurely. This is not the moment for exit, it is the moment for institution building. Leadership here is not about personalities, but about anchoring ideology, preserving institutional memory, and ensuring continuity.
If Jubilee emerges from the NDC as a party of ideas and unity rather than factions and rivalries, it will not only survive, it will thrive. If it fails, it may never recover.
History has offered Uhuru Kenyatta the rare opportunity to shape a political institution that generations of Kenyans will identify with.
He should seize it.
