Why Uhuru Is the Weakest Link in Jubilee Fallout - Elachi

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing a gathering at KICC on February 26, 2022, during the Jubilee Party National Delegates Conference.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing a gathering at KICC on February 26, 2022, during the Jubilee Party National Delegates Conference.
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Jubilee Party

The disintegration and confusion in Jubilee Party continued to unravel, with more members pledging allegiance to President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Elected party members, however, decried the lack of leadership and direction from their party leader, Uhuru, whom the accused of being inaccessible. 

Their sentiments were supported by the Dagoretti North legislator, Beatrice Elachi, on Wednesday, February 22, during NTV's morning show Press Review.

Elachi also alleged that Uhuru was the weakest link in her former party Jubilee.

President William Ruto (on the microphone) hosts Jubilee MPs at State House, Nairobi on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
President William Ruto (on the microphone) hosts Jubilee MPs at State House, Nairobi on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
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State House

“My former President should now become hands-on. I know it is his weakest link. He is the party leader, and I can tell you he won't intervene, which is unfortunate. That is what caused the rise of splinter groups,”

According to Elachi, Uhuru should be available to his members in order to whip them into line. 

"He has to decide now. Be available to your party members," she advised.

On the ouster of Jeremiah Kioni and David Murathe as secretary general and vice chairman, respectively, Elachi added that the inevitable was always going to happen.

“The worst mistake was when the deputy party leader and chairman sat at the meeting. That is why the registrar of political parties approved the minutes of party changes,” she stated.

On Sunday, February 19, nominated MP, Sabina Chege, added that the Pro-Ruto Jubilee sought Uhuru's counsel countless times, but their efforts were in vain. 

"As we waited for his leadership, we saw him aboard a truck in Kisumu declaring that his party leader was ODM's, Raila Odinga.

"Personally I had been approached with an offer by the Kenya Kwanza Alliance to be Nairobi gubernatorial seat running mate, but I turned it down for his sake," Sabina lamented. 

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga at the burial of ex-Education CS Prof. George Magoha in Gem, Siaya County, on February 11, 2023.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga at the burial of ex-Education CS Prof. George Magoha in Gem, Siaya County, on February 11, 2023.
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ODM

Intrigues in reclaiming the party have seen President Ruto and Azimio Leader, Raila Odinga, clash, with the latter accusing the former of trying to sabotage the country’s democracy.

He also accused the state of using the police to take over the Jubilee Party and eventually enter into a coalition.

Speaking in Karen on February 15, Odinga lamented that the Kenya Kwanza administration was leading a witch-hunt against politicians allied to Azimio, hoping to divide the opposition.

"Today, police officers invaded the headquarters of the Jubilee party and took over the offices there. They are trying to destroy Jubilee so that Jubilee can be consumed by Kenya Kwanza," he alleged. 

Recent comments by former President Kenyatta that Odinga was his party leader sparked more confusion within the party, with Pro-Ruto allies asking him to either denounce the former Prime Minister or join hands with Ruto.