Kenya’s ruling party, UDA, has been thrown into panic after retired President Uhuru Kenyatta announced plans to embark on a nationwide “meet-the-people” tour—his boldest signal yet of a political comeback ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The move, which insiders say will kick off before the year ends, is designed to revive the fortunes of the once-dominant Jubilee Party through grassroots mobilization. Uhuru’s re-entry into active politics threatens to reawaken old political rivalries and complicate UDA’s calculations as it seeks to consolidate power for a second term.
Sources close to the former Head of State reveal that the tour will cover key battleground counties, beginning in Mount Kenya, where Jubilee still commands significant loyalty despite UDA’s 2022 sweep.
His agenda, they say, is to re-energize Jubilee structures, reconnect with disillusioned voters, and position the party as a formidable force in the 2027 race.
For UDA, the timing is troubling. The party is already grappling with growing public discontent over the high cost of living, delayed salaries, and broken campaign promises.
Uhuru’s return could give opposition forces fresh momentum and fracture the political landscape, particularly in Central Kenya, where President William Ruto has been working to cement support.
“It is no longer business as usual. Uhuru is back on the ground, and UDA knows what that means for 2027,” a Jubilee insider told Tukio.The retired President’s political comeback comes at a time when whispers of cracks within Kenya Kwanza are growing louder, with allies jostling for positions ahead of the succession matrix.
Analysts warn that Uhuru’s move could tilt the balance, rekindle Jubilee’s relevance, and force UDA into a defensive mode far earlier than expected.
In what is shaping up as a high-stakes political duel, Uhuru’s re-emergence sets the stage for a bruising contest that could redraw Kenya’s 2027 electoral map.