By Joshua Cheloti

Political analyst Prof. Herman Manyora has cast doubts into former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the 2022 general election.

While Uhuru publicly declared support for Raila’s presidential bid, some allies of the ODM leader have in the past claimed it was part of a long political game.

Prof. Manyora now argues that the ongoing leadership row within the Jubilee party might be yet another indication that indeed Uhuru’s heart was not on Raila’s side.

In an interview on KTN News on Friday, February 17, 2023, the University of Nairobi lecturer said it is only with the blessings of the former President that the leadership at Jubilee Party can change hands.

“Nobody can snatch Jubilee from Uhuru but with what is happening in the Party, it is becoming more difficult for me to believe that he did not play Raila in 2022,” Prof. Manyora said.

“It is doubtful that Uhuru supported Raila,” he added.

A section of the Jubilee party National Executive Committee (NEC) members last week resolved to suspend top leadership.

Most of those suspended are seen as allied to the party leader Uhuru Kenyatta and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

A meeting that came up with the resolution has since been ratified by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.

However, Jubilee party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni and Vice chairman David Murathe who were suspended moved to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal and secured temporary orders stopping the change of leadership.

In the new leadership that the majority of NEC members approved, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Kanini Kega was named interim Secretary General.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan was installed as vice chairman, also in an acting capacity.

But even as Prof Manyora questions Uhuru’s support to Raila in 2022, the retired President recently affirmed that he still believes the ODM leader was the best leader the country would have had.

“Mimi munajua sasa nimestaafu si ni kweli? Mimi nimestaafu nko retired but I am not tired. Tunaelewana? I am retired but not? Ama ni namna gani?”

”Na sasa mimi munajua ya kwamba party leader ni nani? (Crowd shouts ‘Raila Amolo Odinga’.

Uhuru asked the crowd thrice who his party leader is) Namna hio (he acknowledged the crowd),”

Uhuru said this when addressing locals after attending the burial of former Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha.