Former Jubilee Secretary-General Raphael Tuju has broken his silence on widespread speculation that he could join the race for the Siaya gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election.
In an interview on Monday, August 25, Tuju firmly dismissed claims that he intends to challenge the incumbent Governor James Orengo, saying his current commitments make such a political move impractical.
“I’m not inclined in any way to become a governor of Siaya County because I’m Nairobi-based at the moment. Before I make those kinds of decisions, I’ve got several people working in my private companies—more than 100 people—and if I make any decision which is going to negatively impact 100 families or more, I have to be very careful about that. That’s personal, but I also need the concurrence of my family,” Tuju explained.
Tuju’s Exit from Jubilee and His Political Positioning
The former Cabinet Secretary further clarified that his resignation from Jubilee Party was a personal decision to grant him the freedom to speak his mind without party constraints.
“I left the Jubilee Party for personal reasons. No hard feelings. It was important for me to operate in a free space, where I can talk on behalf of myself without being asked whose interests I represent,” he stated.
Tuju had served as Jubilee’s Secretary-General for six years (2016–2022) and was a key figure in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration. In his resignation letter dated August 19 to Uhuru, Tuju thanked the former Head of State for entrusting him with such a high-profile role despite ethnic considerations.
“It was an exceptionally bold political step on your part to have entrusted this sensitive position to me as a person coming from the Luo tribe, while the anchor of the party was essentially the Kikuyu and Kalenjin tribes,” he noted.
Tuju also praised Uhuru for his handshake with ODM leader Raila Odinga in 2018 and drew parallels with President William Ruto’s own rapprochement with Raila after the Gen Z protests in 2024.
What Tuju’s Absence Means for Siaya Politics
Tuju’s declaration effectively ends speculation that he would inject a heavyweight challenge into Siaya politics. Political analysts note that without Tuju in the race, the battle for the county’s top seat could remain an uphill task for those seeking to unseat Orengo.
So far, several names have been floated as possible contenders in 2027, including:
Opiyo Wandayi – Cabinet Secretary for Energy.
David Ochieng – Ugenya MP and leader of the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) Party.
Nicholas Gumbo – Former Rarieda MP and 2017 Siaya gubernatorial candidate.
Charles Wahongo – Former National Police Service Spokesperson.
However, analysts argue that individually, these politicians may struggle to dislodge Orengo, who retains significant grassroots support and ODM party backing.
“Unless the anti-Orengo forces consolidate behind a single candidate, Orengo remains the clear favorite. The Luo Nyanza political dynamics still favor established ODM structures, and any fragmented opposition will likely be neutralized,” said Luke Musewe, a political commentator from Siaya.
The prospect of a united front against Orengo remains uncertain, given historical rivalries and party loyalties among the potential challengers. For now, Tuju’s decision removes what many considered a ‘game-changing’ factor from the Siaya gubernatorial equation.
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