Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta remains the leader of the Jubilee Party.
He also continues to play a leadership role within the Azimio coalition—even though Azimio, as it currently stands, lacks a clear structure, especially now that Raila Odinga is working with the government.
Nonetheless, the fact that Uhuru still leads a political party—whether due to ongoing legal challenges or his own decision to remain active—means he continues to wield political influence in the country.
Amid shifting political dynamics in Central Kenya, it’s evident that he still holds political capital.
A growing number of aspirants are expected to join Jubilee, and as a result, the party will be fielding candidates.
That alone demands the creation of some level of political momentum—big or small—especially within the Mt Kenya region.
Over the last two years, Uhuru has remained a respected and beloved figure. He doesn’t need to hold rallies in Mt Kenya to communicate his message.
Instead, he has a network of allies and supporters who can speak for him, and he often conveys his views through subtle, indirect channels.
For instance, he has made political comments during funerals, weddings and religious ceremonies, including the installation of bishops.
In those moments, he has hinted at his stance on movements like Gen Z and expressed broader political opinions.
These subtle statements must be taken seriously by anyone aligned with his politics or anyone seeking to understand current power dynamics.
Take, for example, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, who is said to still be affiliated with Jubilee. This points to a continuing strategic alignment with the former President.
In summary, Uhuru remains influential. He has trusted allies to help advance his agenda, the ability to field candidates through Jubilee, and he is still seen as a significant figure both within Azimio and across Mt Kenya.
Moreover, as a wealthy individual, he has the means to shape political outcomes by backing candidates financially—often a decisive factor in elections.
The political analyst spoke to The Star.
