Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has suffered a major setback in his bid to counter President William Ruto’s chances of re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
This comes after former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka announced that he will not attend the Jubilee National Delegates Conference (NDC) scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2025, which will be chaired by the retired President.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Kalonzo cited the hostile treatment he received at a previous Jubilee convention as the reason for his decision.
“The matter went to court, and in their pleadings, they were told they had invited strangers. So, in the category of strangers, let them first of all sort their things,” Kalonzo stated.
Kalonzo to Snub Uhuru’s NDC Meeting
Kalonzo’s close association with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy of Citizens Party (DCP), has also fueled speculation about his absence.
Political undertones of rivalry between Jubilee and DCP in the Mount Kenya region have been evident, with several allies of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, including Rigathi’s former aide Ngunjiri Wambugu, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, and Githunguri MP Gathoni wa Muchomba, often clashing with Gachagua’s political style.
Attending Jubilee’s NDC would appear as though Kalonzo was siding with Gachagua’s critics.
Also Read: Kalonzo Declares Stance on Attending ODM Event After Raila’s Invitation Letter
By skipping the meeting, he is seen as carefully playing his political cards to appease Gachagua, who is said to command significant influence over the Mount Kenya voting bloc, support that Kalonzo is keen to secure for his 2027 presidential ambitions.
The Jubilee NDC, to be held at Ngong’ Racecourse, will be the party’s first major event in two years, chaired by Uhuru Kenyatta.
During the meeting, the retired president is expected to hand over the party leadership mantle, reportedly to former Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i.
Matiang’i Likely to Be Handed Over Jubilee Leadership
Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, a close ally of Matiang’i, appeared to endorse him during an interview with NTV.
“Actually, if you think about it, Matiang’i is the most prominent person right now in the political sphere who has openly stepped out and said he wants to contest in the national elections. For us in Jubilee, Matiang’i is our person. Why do I say he is our person?
He served as a Cabinet Secretary under Uhuru for 10 years and, at some point, was the chief implementer of Jubilee’s policies in government. So, outside Uhuru, today in the party, I don’t think we have anybody with the capacity and knowledge of the party the way Matiang’i does,” Ngunjiri explained.
Also Read: Matiang’i Cleared in Miguna Miguna Case, Ksh 200K Fine Overturned
Kalonzo’s snub of Uhuru’s meeting comes at a time when he has also turned down an invitation from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The former Vice President declined ODM leader Raila Odinga’s request to attend the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, September 24, Kalonzo said he would formally respond to Raila, whom he has supported in three previous elections, to politely decline the invitation.
Uhuru, who completed his second term in 2022, campaigned against his predecessor, William Ruto. According to analysts, the son of Jomo Kenyatta may be scheming to lock out Ruto from the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region and frustrate his re-election bid in 2027.
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