Why Jubilee Party Is Facing a Crisis Less Than a Year to Kenya’s Elections
The Jubilee Party, led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, is grappling with serious structural and financial challenges with less than a year remaining ahead of Kenya’s next general elections. Once a dominant force, the party now confronts dwindling resources and a shrinking effectiveness in voter mobilisation across its traditional strongholds.
Founded in 2016 from a merger of several parties, Jubilee had ridden high on Uhuru’s two terms in office. However, according to a report published in September 2021, the party was already staring at a cash crunch as it faced campaign season with limited means and internal tensions over direction.
The audit of the party’s 2021-22 finances also revealed missing documentation and questionable expenditures amounting to hundreds of millions of shillings — a red flag for its capacity to operate effectively in an election-year.
The timing of Jubilee’s troubles is particularly concerning because it coincides with a broader realignment of Kenya’s political landscape. Uhuru’s once-steadfast coalition partners and regional support bases have been shifting, while rival parties are increasingly projecting themselves as credible challengers. As many Kenyans focus on what will come in 2027, Jubilee risks being sidelined if it cannot resolve its internal disputes and restore unity, messaging and funding in time. Analysts say the next few months will be critical for the party’s relevance — not only in maintaining its base, but also in deciding whether it can influence, or even lead, any meaningful political alliance ahead of Kenya’s next vote.
If you like, I can pull together a deeper analysis of Jubilee’s internal dynamics, funding gaps, and how it compares to other parties ahead of the 2027 elections.