In a surprising move, Raphael Tuju, the former Secretary General of the Jubilee Party, has officially resigned from his position and the party. In a detailed letter dated August 19, 2025, Tuju reflected on his tenure within the party, his relationship with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and his stance on the Ruto-Raila handshake that reshaped Kenyan politics.
Tuju’s Resignation and the Handshake Legacy
Tuju, who had been a key figure in the Jubilee Party, expressed his gratitude to President Uhuru Kenyatta for giving him the opportunity to serve in a sensitive party leadership role, despite his Luo background—a political choice that transcended ethnic lines in a bid to foster national unity.
Reflecting on the March 2018 handshake between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, Tuju highlighted its positive intentions to bring peace to Kenya. However, he pointed out that the handshake also created deep political divides, particularly between Uhuru Kenyatta and then-Deputy President William Ruto. This, according to Tuju, led to hostility between him and Ruto, which he attributed to the political fallout from the handshake.
In his resignation letter, Tuju stated, “The motivation for the handshake was to secure the peace in our beloved Kenya. Unfortunately, that handshake brought a lot of hostility between me and President Ruto despite several initiatives to bridge the gaps.”
Tuju Criticizes the 2024 Ruto-Raila Handshake
Tuju didn’t hold back his criticism of the 2024 Ruto-Raila handshake. He observed that after the Gen Z protests of 2024, President Ruto was forced to adopt a similar approach as Uhuru Kenyatta had done in 2018, by entering into a political compromise with Raila Odinga. Tuju described this as an ironic turn of events in Kenyan politics, where Ruto, after rejecting such compromises for years, was now in a position where he had to make concessions for the sake of national stability.
“After the Gen Z riots of 2024, President Ruto, now bearing the full responsibility of the weight of carrying the state, had to make compromises and do exactly what you had done in 2018: A handshake with Raila Odinga,” Tuju wrote.
Praising Uhuru Kenyatta’s Leadership
Despite his resignation, Tuju took time to praise Uhuru Kenyatta for his bold political decisions, especially the choice to entrust him with the Secretary General position of the Jubilee Party, even though he came from a different ethnic background than the party’s core supporters. Tuju noted that this move was a significant attempt to challenge the tribal political narrative that has long dominated Kenyan politics.
“It was a bold attempt to confront the Kenyan political narrative of ‘Us against Them’. I and you shared some coincidences in the Kenyan political arena,” Tuju expressed, underlining his appreciation for Kenyatta’s inclusive vision.
Tuju also acknowledged his long-standing loyalty to Uhuru Kenyatta, recalling their time together in the PNU government during President Kibaki’s era. He cherished the political bond they had forged and the values of unity and shared humanity that they had both envisioned for Kenya.
“I still hold dear those values of our shared humanity, beyond the easy tribal mobilization of ‘Us against Them. And I think it is good to be naive like our Gen Zs,” he wrote, expressing hope for a future where Kenya would be able to unite and confront the challenges posed by its growing youth population.
Looking to the Future
Tuju concluded his letter with a message of optimism for Kenya’s future. Despite his resignation from the Jubilee Party, he expressed hope that the Gen Z generation would carry forward the values of unity and national development, transcending tribal divisions that have long plagued the country’s political landscape.
Tuju’s resignation has raised questions about the future of the Jubilee Party and its internal dynamics, especially as the country moves towards the 2027 elections.
Conclusion
Raphael Tuju’s resignation from the Jubilee Party marks the end of a significant chapter in Kenyan politics. His reflections on the Ruto-Raila handshake, his praise for Uhuru Kenyatta, and his call for national unity resonate deeply in the current political landscape. Tuju’s departure highlights the evolving dynamics within Kenya’s political parties and the shifting alliances that could shape the future of the country.
